David Hale
@adavidhalejoint.bsky.social
ESPN college sports reporter. Raconteur, gadfly, man about town. [email protected]
Ty Simpson, John Mateer & Dante Moore over the last month: 63.8% completions, 7.1 yds/pass, 13 TD, 9 TO
November 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Ty Simpson, John Mateer & Dante Moore over the last month: 63.8% completions, 7.1 yds/pass, 13 TD, 9 TO
Explosive Play Rates vs. Successful Play Rates... There's a clear top tier, and it's Ohio St, Oregon, Texas Tech and... Notre Dame. Behind them... Indiana, UGA, A&M and... Pitt!
November 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Explosive Play Rates vs. Successful Play Rates... There's a clear top tier, and it's Ohio St, Oregon, Texas Tech and... Notre Dame. Behind them... Indiana, UGA, A&M and... Pitt!
Newsletter: Why Florida State made a logical decision instead of an emotional one; Farewell, Justin Wilcox; Mark Richt's Thanksgiving tips & more davidhale.substack.com/p/love-the-o...
Love the one you're with
Florida State lost again in embarrassing fashion in Week 13. It appeared to be the end of Mike Norvell. Instead, the Seminoles are signing up for one more year. Is it the right call?
davidhale.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Newsletter: Why Florida State made a logical decision instead of an emotional one; Farewell, Justin Wilcox; Mark Richt's Thanksgiving tips & more davidhale.substack.com/p/love-the-o...
If you're looking for a handy-dandy catch-all on resumes for the playoff contenders, here ya go...
November 23, 2025 at 11:47 PM
If you're looking for a handy-dandy catch-all on resumes for the playoff contenders, here ya go...
It's hard to objectively quantify "eye test" but avg in-game win% or (adjusted for opp) game control tries to value "how" you won/lost.
AvgWP
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. Miami
6. ND
7. UNT
8. Miss
9. aTm
10. Utah
CG
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. ND
6. Miami
7. Okla
8. aTm
9. Bama
10. Tenn
AvgWP
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. Miami
6. ND
7. UNT
8. Miss
9. aTm
10. Utah
CG
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. ND
6. Miami
7. Okla
8. aTm
9. Bama
10. Tenn
November 23, 2025 at 9:02 PM
It's hard to objectively quantify "eye test" but avg in-game win% or (adjusted for opp) game control tries to value "how" you won/lost.
AvgWP
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. Miami
6. ND
7. UNT
8. Miss
9. aTm
10. Utah
CG
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. ND
6. Miami
7. Okla
8. aTm
9. Bama
10. Tenn
AvgWP
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. Miami
6. ND
7. UNT
8. Miss
9. aTm
10. Utah
CG
1. OhSt
2. TTU
3. Ind
4. Ore
5. ND
6. Miami
7. Okla
8. aTm
9. Bama
10. Tenn
Secondary record vs P4
(i.e. who have the teams you beat beaten?)
Bama - 30-22
Okla - 27-21
Utah - 26-32
Mia - 23-34
UVA - 21-27
Mich - 19-36
ND - 17-38
Vandy - 16-30
(i.e. who have the teams you beat beaten?)
Bama - 30-22
Okla - 27-21
Utah - 26-32
Mia - 23-34
UVA - 21-27
Mich - 19-36
ND - 17-38
Vandy - 16-30
November 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Secondary record vs P4
(i.e. who have the teams you beat beaten?)
Bama - 30-22
Okla - 27-21
Utah - 26-32
Mia - 23-34
UVA - 21-27
Mich - 19-36
ND - 17-38
Vandy - 16-30
(i.e. who have the teams you beat beaten?)
Bama - 30-22
Okla - 27-21
Utah - 26-32
Mia - 23-34
UVA - 21-27
Mich - 19-36
ND - 17-38
Vandy - 16-30
Wins vs. bowl-eligible opponents:
6 - BYU
5 - Ind, Mich, OhSt, aTm, Bama, ND, USC
4 - NCSU, Tulane, Okla, SMU, Oregon, UVA
3* - Vandy, Wake, AzSt, GT, Miami, UNT, Pitt, TxTech UGA, Miss, SDSU
2* - Utah, Texas, Ariz
1* - JMU, Wash, Navy
0* - Tenn
*partial list
6 - BYU
5 - Ind, Mich, OhSt, aTm, Bama, ND, USC
4 - NCSU, Tulane, Okla, SMU, Oregon, UVA
3* - Vandy, Wake, AzSt, GT, Miami, UNT, Pitt, TxTech UGA, Miss, SDSU
2* - Utah, Texas, Ariz
1* - JMU, Wash, Navy
0* - Tenn
*partial list
November 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Wins vs. bowl-eligible opponents:
6 - BYU
5 - Ind, Mich, OhSt, aTm, Bama, ND, USC
4 - NCSU, Tulane, Okla, SMU, Oregon, UVA
3* - Vandy, Wake, AzSt, GT, Miami, UNT, Pitt, TxTech UGA, Miss, SDSU
2* - Utah, Texas, Ariz
1* - JMU, Wash, Navy
0* - Tenn
*partial list
6 - BYU
5 - Ind, Mich, OhSt, aTm, Bama, ND, USC
4 - NCSU, Tulane, Okla, SMU, Oregon, UVA
3* - Vandy, Wake, AzSt, GT, Miami, UNT, Pitt, TxTech UGA, Miss, SDSU
2* - Utah, Texas, Ariz
1* - JMU, Wash, Navy
0* - Tenn
*partial list
Wins vs. current SP+ top 40
5 - Okla, Bama
4 - Ind, OhSt, aTm, UGA
3 - SMU, Miami, NCSU, Vandy, Lville, Oregon, USC, BYU
2 - Mich, Pitt, TTU, UVA, Miss, ND, Texas, AzSt, WF, Clemson, IaSt, UK, Wisc
1* - GT, Wash, Mizz, Tul, USF, Navy, Ill
0* - Utah, Ari, Tenn, JMU
*Partial list
5 - Okla, Bama
4 - Ind, OhSt, aTm, UGA
3 - SMU, Miami, NCSU, Vandy, Lville, Oregon, USC, BYU
2 - Mich, Pitt, TTU, UVA, Miss, ND, Texas, AzSt, WF, Clemson, IaSt, UK, Wisc
1* - GT, Wash, Mizz, Tul, USF, Navy, Ill
0* - Utah, Ari, Tenn, JMU
*Partial list
November 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Wins vs. current SP+ top 40
5 - Okla, Bama
4 - Ind, OhSt, aTm, UGA
3 - SMU, Miami, NCSU, Vandy, Lville, Oregon, USC, BYU
2 - Mich, Pitt, TTU, UVA, Miss, ND, Texas, AzSt, WF, Clemson, IaSt, UK, Wisc
1* - GT, Wash, Mizz, Tul, USF, Navy, Ill
0* - Utah, Ari, Tenn, JMU
*Partial list
5 - Okla, Bama
4 - Ind, OhSt, aTm, UGA
3 - SMU, Miami, NCSU, Vandy, Lville, Oregon, USC, BYU
2 - Mich, Pitt, TTU, UVA, Miss, ND, Texas, AzSt, WF, Clemson, IaSt, UK, Wisc
1* - GT, Wash, Mizz, Tul, USF, Navy, Ill
0* - Utah, Ari, Tenn, JMU
*Partial list
Brent is such an interesting dude and I loved working on this story. Thanks for the reminder, Spencer!
see @adavidhalejoint.bsky.social's piece here www.espn.com/college-foot...
'Nobody's expectation can exceed my own': Brent Venables takes on the Oklahoma job at full speed
Brent Venables waited a long time to accept his first head coaching job. Now he's looking back at what continues to fuel him at Oklahoma.
www.espn.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Brent is such an interesting dude and I loved working on this story. Thanks for the reminder, Spencer!
Teams avg > 100 yds/game margin (vs FBS):
No. 7 Oregon +237
No. 1 Ohio St +200
No. 5 TTU +194
No. 2 Ind +192
No. 22 Mizz +155
No. 15 USC +145
No. 3 A&M +140
No. 6 Miss +138
No. 13 Miami +135
No. 12 Utah +134
No. 9 ND +134
5-6 Florida St +122
No. 4 UGA +110
No. 10 Bama +109
No. 7 Oregon +237
No. 1 Ohio St +200
No. 5 TTU +194
No. 2 Ind +192
No. 22 Mizz +155
No. 15 USC +145
No. 3 A&M +140
No. 6 Miss +138
No. 13 Miami +135
No. 12 Utah +134
No. 9 ND +134
5-6 Florida St +122
No. 4 UGA +110
No. 10 Bama +109
November 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Teams avg > 100 yds/game margin (vs FBS):
No. 7 Oregon +237
No. 1 Ohio St +200
No. 5 TTU +194
No. 2 Ind +192
No. 22 Mizz +155
No. 15 USC +145
No. 3 A&M +140
No. 6 Miss +138
No. 13 Miami +135
No. 12 Utah +134
No. 9 ND +134
5-6 Florida St +122
No. 4 UGA +110
No. 10 Bama +109
No. 7 Oregon +237
No. 1 Ohio St +200
No. 5 TTU +194
No. 2 Ind +192
No. 22 Mizz +155
No. 15 USC +145
No. 3 A&M +140
No. 6 Miss +138
No. 13 Miami +135
No. 12 Utah +134
No. 9 ND +134
5-6 Florida St +122
No. 4 UGA +110
No. 10 Bama +109
Three of these teams are ranked. One is not.
November 21, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Three of these teams are ranked. One is not.
Reposted by David Hale
tired: mike lombardi doesn't know how to recruit kids.
wired: mike lombardi recruits kids by getting their parents drunk at THE CRUNKLETON
wired: mike lombardi recruits kids by getting their parents drunk at THE CRUNKLETON
November 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM
tired: mike lombardi doesn't know how to recruit kids.
wired: mike lombardi recruits kids by getting their parents drunk at THE CRUNKLETON
wired: mike lombardi recruits kids by getting their parents drunk at THE CRUNKLETON
There are 82 bowl spots.
64 teams have clinched.
Clemson has an FCS team this week.
3 games feature 5-5 vs 5-5.
So that's basically 68 locks.
That leaves 14 spots for 31 more teams.
16 are done with another L.
Mo St (7-3 & UD (5-5) aren't eligible unless there aren't enough teams w/6 wins.
64 teams have clinched.
Clemson has an FCS team this week.
3 games feature 5-5 vs 5-5.
So that's basically 68 locks.
That leaves 14 spots for 31 more teams.
16 are done with another L.
Mo St (7-3 & UD (5-5) aren't eligible unless there aren't enough teams w/6 wins.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
There are 82 bowl spots.
64 teams have clinched.
Clemson has an FCS team this week.
3 games feature 5-5 vs 5-5.
So that's basically 68 locks.
That leaves 14 spots for 31 more teams.
16 are done with another L.
Mo St (7-3 & UD (5-5) aren't eligible unless there aren't enough teams w/6 wins.
64 teams have clinched.
Clemson has an FCS team this week.
3 games feature 5-5 vs 5-5.
So that's basically 68 locks.
That leaves 14 spots for 31 more teams.
16 are done with another L.
Mo St (7-3 & UD (5-5) aren't eligible unless there aren't enough teams w/6 wins.
Wins vs. bowl-eligible opps:
5 - Ind, Ohio St, Bama, BYU
4 - NC State, Michigan, ND, USC
3 - Lou, Wake, ASU, Oklahoma, Iowa St, A&M, TTU, UGA, UVA, Ole Miss, SDSU, WMU
Miami, Vandy, Oregon, Utah, and Texas have 2.
GT has 1.
Missouri, Tennessee and LSU combined have... zero.
5 - Ind, Ohio St, Bama, BYU
4 - NC State, Michigan, ND, USC
3 - Lou, Wake, ASU, Oklahoma, Iowa St, A&M, TTU, UGA, UVA, Ole Miss, SDSU, WMU
Miami, Vandy, Oregon, Utah, and Texas have 2.
GT has 1.
Missouri, Tennessee and LSU combined have... zero.
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Wins vs. bowl-eligible opps:
5 - Ind, Ohio St, Bama, BYU
4 - NC State, Michigan, ND, USC
3 - Lou, Wake, ASU, Oklahoma, Iowa St, A&M, TTU, UGA, UVA, Ole Miss, SDSU, WMU
Miami, Vandy, Oregon, Utah, and Texas have 2.
GT has 1.
Missouri, Tennessee and LSU combined have... zero.
5 - Ind, Ohio St, Bama, BYU
4 - NC State, Michigan, ND, USC
3 - Lou, Wake, ASU, Oklahoma, Iowa St, A&M, TTU, UGA, UVA, Ole Miss, SDSU, WMU
Miami, Vandy, Oregon, Utah, and Texas have 2.
GT has 1.
Missouri, Tennessee and LSU combined have... zero.
Newsletter: There's a tweak the ACC could make a change that would keep its best teams from relying on the committee for playoff love... What's the future look like at VT under Franklin?... And a bunch of TV/movie/book recs + ACC Wk13 picks... open.substack.com/pub/davidhal...
On the outs
It's not just the committee that's kept Miami from the college football playoff. The ACC -- and its expanded, non-divisional footprint -- have played a part, too.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Newsletter: There's a tweak the ACC could make a change that would keep its best teams from relying on the committee for playoff love... What's the future look like at VT under Franklin?... And a bunch of TV/movie/book recs + ACC Wk13 picks... open.substack.com/pub/davidhal...
Longest active winning streaks vs. unranked opponents:
Georgia, 47
Oregon, 39
Missouri, 23
Indiana, 20
Notre Dame, 13
Tenn, 12
Ole Miss, 10
USC, 10
North Texas, 9
BYU, 9
Ohio St, 8
JMU, 8
Iowa, 8
LSU, 8
Georgia, 47
Oregon, 39
Missouri, 23
Indiana, 20
Notre Dame, 13
Tenn, 12
Ole Miss, 10
USC, 10
North Texas, 9
BYU, 9
Ohio St, 8
JMU, 8
Iowa, 8
LSU, 8
November 20, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Longest active winning streaks vs. unranked opponents:
Georgia, 47
Oregon, 39
Missouri, 23
Indiana, 20
Notre Dame, 13
Tenn, 12
Ole Miss, 10
USC, 10
North Texas, 9
BYU, 9
Ohio St, 8
JMU, 8
Iowa, 8
LSU, 8
Georgia, 47
Oregon, 39
Missouri, 23
Indiana, 20
Notre Dame, 13
Tenn, 12
Ole Miss, 10
USC, 10
North Texas, 9
BYU, 9
Ohio St, 8
JMU, 8
Iowa, 8
LSU, 8
Only 3 teams in the country have racked up four wins vs. opponents who are 7-3 or better on the season.
Indiana
Alabama
and...
wait for it...
Seriously it's good...
maybe sit down and pour a drink...
OK, ready...
NC State!!!!
Indiana
Alabama
and...
wait for it...
Seriously it's good...
maybe sit down and pour a drink...
OK, ready...
NC State!!!!
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Only 3 teams in the country have racked up four wins vs. opponents who are 7-3 or better on the season.
Indiana
Alabama
and...
wait for it...
Seriously it's good...
maybe sit down and pour a drink...
OK, ready...
NC State!!!!
Indiana
Alabama
and...
wait for it...
Seriously it's good...
maybe sit down and pour a drink...
OK, ready...
NC State!!!!
On today’s Inside ACCess (4 pm, ACCN)…
- Miami coach Mario Cristobal
- the great @WesDurham tracks UNC’s improvement & GT’s defensive woes
- James Franklin’s at VT. A HR for the Hokies?
That and lots more… Watch or subscribe to the pod… linktr.ee/InsideACCess
- Miami coach Mario Cristobal
- the great @WesDurham tracks UNC’s improvement & GT’s defensive woes
- James Franklin’s at VT. A HR for the Hokies?
That and lots more… Watch or subscribe to the pod… linktr.ee/InsideACCess
a man in a suit and tie says that 's neat
ALT: a man in a suit and tie says that 's neat
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:44 PM
On today’s Inside ACCess (4 pm, ACCN)…
- Miami coach Mario Cristobal
- the great @WesDurham tracks UNC’s improvement & GT’s defensive woes
- James Franklin’s at VT. A HR for the Hokies?
That and lots more… Watch or subscribe to the pod… linktr.ee/InsideACCess
- Miami coach Mario Cristobal
- the great @WesDurham tracks UNC’s improvement & GT’s defensive woes
- James Franklin’s at VT. A HR for the Hokies?
That and lots more… Watch or subscribe to the pod… linktr.ee/InsideACCess
Hot off the presses from ESPN Stats & Info, here’s what has to happen for Miami to make the ACCCG:
- Canes win out (@ VT, @ Pitt)
- Pitt beats GT this week
- VT beats UVA next week
- SMU loses last 2 (Lou, @ Cal)
- Duke loses 1 (@ UNC, Wake)
- Canes win out (@ VT, @ Pitt)
- Pitt beats GT this week
- VT beats UVA next week
- SMU loses last 2 (Lou, @ Cal)
- Duke loses 1 (@ UNC, Wake)
a man is talking to a woman and saying `` so you 're telling me there 's a chance .
ALT: a man is talking to a woman and saying `` so you 're telling me there 's a chance .
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Hot off the presses from ESPN Stats & Info, here’s what has to happen for Miami to make the ACCCG:
- Canes win out (@ VT, @ Pitt)
- Pitt beats GT this week
- VT beats UVA next week
- SMU loses last 2 (Lou, @ Cal)
- Duke loses 1 (@ UNC, Wake)
- Canes win out (@ VT, @ Pitt)
- Pitt beats GT this week
- VT beats UVA next week
- SMU loses last 2 (Lou, @ Cal)
- Duke loses 1 (@ UNC, Wake)
You ain’t lived until you’ve had scrapple. Hooves and testicles have never tasted so good.
November 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
You ain’t lived until you’ve had scrapple. Hooves and testicles have never tasted so good.
"To live is to suffer." - Nietzsche
Is there any explanation for why FSU is what they is?
November 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
"To live is to suffer." - Nietzsche
Me seeing Twitter is down: "Ha, good."
Me seeing Frinkiac is down: "Nooooooooooo!!!!!"
Me seeing Frinkiac is down: "Nooooooooooo!!!!!"
a cartoon of homer simpson holding a hammer with the words why must life be so hard underneath him
ALT: a cartoon of homer simpson holding a hammer with the words why must life be so hard underneath him
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Me seeing Twitter is down: "Ha, good."
Me seeing Frinkiac is down: "Nooooooooooo!!!!!"
Me seeing Frinkiac is down: "Nooooooooooo!!!!!"
Total QBR vs FBS
55. Jeff Sims, 64.7
59. Arch Manning, 62.8
60. Cade Klubnik, 62.7
61. LaNorris Sellers, 62.6
65. DJ Lagway, 60.9
2025 is not for the faint of heart.
55. Jeff Sims, 64.7
59. Arch Manning, 62.8
60. Cade Klubnik, 62.7
61. LaNorris Sellers, 62.6
65. DJ Lagway, 60.9
2025 is not for the faint of heart.
November 18, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Total QBR vs FBS
55. Jeff Sims, 64.7
59. Arch Manning, 62.8
60. Cade Klubnik, 62.7
61. LaNorris Sellers, 62.6
65. DJ Lagway, 60.9
2025 is not for the faint of heart.
55. Jeff Sims, 64.7
59. Arch Manning, 62.8
60. Cade Klubnik, 62.7
61. LaNorris Sellers, 62.6
65. DJ Lagway, 60.9
2025 is not for the faint of heart.
Offensive vs. Defensive success rates... Wake Forest trending into traditional Iowa territory while Iowa looks entirely normal. This is indeed a disturbing universe.
November 18, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Offensive vs. Defensive success rates... Wake Forest trending into traditional Iowa territory while Iowa looks entirely normal. This is indeed a disturbing universe.
Remember some QBs, ACC edition!
November 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Remember some QBs, ACC edition!