College football is BACK—and the Higher Call is ready for Week 1!

Dan is joined by new co-host Jake for a packed episode covering the biggest stories from Week Zero and the games we’re watching in Week One.

We continue our ongoing battle with Notre Dame fans over their… let’s just say interesting cupcake schedule. 😏 We also welcome the North Dakota State Bison to the FBS—and after their dominant Week Zero performance, they may have officially become our new favorite team.

Plus, Jake brings the Florida Gator perspective as we look ahead to Florida’s season, Dan talks Houston Cougar football, and the guys dive into one of the most important questions in sports and faith: What’s your “why”?

Can sports teach us something about perseverance, purpose, and how we respond when things don't go our way?

And of course, it's time for the 5 and 5—10 college football games and 10 picks against the spread.

Whether you're a Gator, Cougar, Bison, Irish fan, or just a Christian who loves college football, there's plenty to talk about.

The Higher Call — Where faith and fandom meet.

Subscribe, leave us a review, and share the show with another Christian sports fan!

Tik Tok: @dansatjr

Email: Highercallpod@gmail.com

#CollegeFootball #ChristianSports #TheHigherCall

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to The Higher Call

01:29 – The $5 Birthday Card Problem

04:02 – Florida Gators Season Preview

08:08 – Jake on Sports, Faith & Perseverance

10:15 – What’s Your “Why”?

11:17 – Thank You to Our Sponsors

12:10 – Week Zero: UNC vs. TCU

14:20 – Virginia Makes a Statement

15:20 – Why We Don’t Want Our Teams Playing Week Zero

16:15 – Meet Our New Favorite Team: North Dakota State

18:19 – The 5 and 5 Begins

19:00 – Colorado vs. Georgia Tech

19:35 – The Apple Cup

20:31 – Louisville vs. Ole Miss

22:36 – Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin

23:54 – We Continue to Insult Notre Dame’s Schedule

26:19 – Boise State vs. Oregon

27:14 – Texas State vs. Texas

27:33 – East Carolina vs. Alabama

27:46 – Oregon State vs. Houston

29:25 – Florida vs. Florida Atlantic

30:03 – SMU vs. Florida State

34:27 – Bonus Pick: North Dakota State

37:40 – College Football Is BACK

38:25 – Houston Heat & Florida Heat

39:10 – Closing Thought: Made in the Image of God

39:31 – Thank You for Listening

A huge thank-you to our sponsors for supporting The Higher Call!

Check out All2Traveled on TikTok for short travel videos, and check out Bill Ellis and the Father Figure Framework for simple, faith-grounded habits for strength, energy, and leadership at home.

We really appreciate both of you helping us grow The Higher Call!

And to everyone listening—thank you for being part of this community. Please like, subscribe, leave us a review, and share the show with another Christian sports fan.

The Higher Call — Where faith and fandom meet.

NFC North Preview with Dante | The Higher Call

The NFC North is loaded with tradition, rivalries, and plenty of reasons to believe this could be one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions. Dan is joined by lifelong Chicago Bears fan Dante from DanteDreams.com to break down the Bears, Lions, Packers, and Vikings.

Dante shares his love for the legendary 1985 Bears, Walter Payton, and the Chicago fan experience before giving his thoughts on Caleb Williams and the Bears’ potential to make a serious run this season. The conversation also dives into the Packers-Bears rivalry, Jordan Love, the Lions’ future after losing Ben Johnson, and whether the Vikings can compete.

The episode also explores the intersection of sports fandom and faith, including why the passion we bring to cheering for our favorite teams can remind us of the passion we should bring to praising God—and why healthy rivalries should never keep us from loving others.

Plus, Dante gives his game-by-game predictions for the Bears, including some bold picks that have Chicago fans dreaming about a Super Bowl!

Check out Dante’s webcomic and find his social links at DanteDreams.com

You can also check out Dante’s YouTube channel here: Dante’s YouTube Channel

Chapters:

00:00 — Meet Dante & the Olympics Debate
05:03 — The Monsters of the Midway & the 1985 Bears
15:03 — Sports Fandom, Faith & Healthy Rivalries
20:04 — Breaking Down the NFC North
29:16 — Dante’s Bears Game-by-Game Predictions
45:00 — Super Bowl Predictions & Where to Find Dante

A huge thank-you to our sponsors for supporting The Higher Call:

All Too Traveled — Follow All Too Traveled on TikTok for short travel videos and inspiration for your next getaway.

Father Figure Framework with Bill Ellis — If you're over 40 and running on fumes, check out Bill Ellis and the Father Figure Framework for simple, faith-grounded habits for strength, energy, and leadership at home. Visit BillEllis.coach.

Have questions, topic ideas, hot takes, or just want to connect? Email us at highercallpod@gmail.com.

And if you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share The Higher Call with another Christian sports fan!

Stat Correction: Case Keenum leads the NCAA in passing TDs, not the NFL.

College football is finally here! Dan is joined by Lucas for a Florida Gators season preview, including new coach Jon Sumrall, quarterback Aaron Philo, the SEC schedule, recruiting and NIL.

Then, in this episode’s faith conversation, Dan and Lucas explore what sports can teach us about selflessness and being willing to sacrifice so others can succeed—from offensive linemen and point guards to teammates, family, work, and faith.

Plus, Dan and Lucas draft 20 teams they believe will make the College Football Playoff, make conference champion and national championship predictions, share bold predictions, and kick off the new Five and Five with Week 0 college football picks against the spread, Red Sox-Yankees predictions, and a Little League World Series champion pick.

Thanks for listening to The Higher Call: The Christian Sports Fan Podcast!

Sponsors:

All Too Traveled on TikTok

Father Figure Coaching with Bill Ellis

Have a question, topic idea, hot take, or want to join the show? Email HigherCallPod@gmail.com.

Chapters

00:00 — Welcome to The Higher Call

01:27 — Florida Gators Season Preview

09:47 — Faith & Sports: Sacrificing So Others Can Shine

17:28 — Sponsor Break

18:27 — 20-Team College Football Playoff Draft

34:46 — Week 0 Five and Five Picks