The Gump Report: Angst and Opportunity in Alabama

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2024 was a weird (read: bad) year for a lot of college football teams in the state Alabama. Justin Ferguson, publisher of the Auburn Observer and all-purpose ball-knower in the state, joins Alex and Richard to discuss:

* How everyone’s feeling after the two Iron Bowl teams went a combined 7-9 in the SEC, tied for their worst joint record of the century

* Why this will be an offseason of hope for Auburn, and why Hugh Freeze will have to deliver a lot early in the 2025 season

* Alabama’s pivot away from in-state recruiting and Alex’s theory that the revenue-sharing era should be good to the Tide

* UAB still has Trent Dilfer, and the Blazers coach is attempting the most blatant '“portal to save his job” maneuver that we’ve ever seen

* South Alabama is at least a little interesting, if not quite “good”

* Troy, however, is none of the above at the moment

* Scott Cochran’s new Division II job makes waves

* Jacksonville State nailed its FBS transition, won Conference USA, and has a new coach who can recruit

Thanks to Ferg, whose work is at www.auburnobserver.com

Hosts: Richard Johnson, Alex Kirshner

Guest: Justin Ferguson