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As the college football season reaches its critical juncture, where genuine playoff contenders begin to distinguish themselves, one ESPN program stands out for its ability to capture the excitement in a tight, engaging package. College Football Live, hosted by Zubin Mehenti, packs a wealth of college football intelligence into a neat half-hour broadcast.
Mehenti proves to be an excellent ringleader for this college pigskin circus. He is understated, consistently well-prepared, and adept at pacing the show. The October 14 edition of College Football Live immediately delved into perhaps the biggest game of the upcoming weekend: No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU, with both teams undefeated. Mehenti, who is not known for hyperbole, openly stated, "It's not an exaggeration to say that these might be the two biggest college football fan bases, worldwide."
The graphics on College Football Live are highly relevant and enlightening, and the same can be said for the show's contributors.
A Mix Of Experience & Personality
Mehenti was joined in a two-shot by ESPN college football analysts Dusty Dvoracek and Stanford Steve Coughlin. Coughlin has truly transitioned from a role player on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt and other shows to a frontline starter at ESPN. What stands out most about Coughlin is that he brings emotion to go along with his insight. Dvoracek is equally captivating on air. The former Oklahoma Sooner won two Big 12 championships in Norman before the Chicago Bears drafted him in 2006. He ranks right up there with Greg McElroy among ESPN's college football pundits. Like Coughlin, Dvoracek makes enthusiasm his calling card. The way he dives into a game would make Greg Louganis blush. Coughlin and Dvoracek make an excellent combination, and their chemistry is palpable.
As the commentary progressed, another telling graphic compared Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith with Oregon wideout Jesse Legree. The two had nearly identical statistics in receiving yards and touchdowns. Following a commercial break, College Football Live featured a clip of SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey discussing his conference's position on an expanded playoff format. Mehenti then explored the issue with ESPN senior college football writer Pete Thamel, a regular contributor to the network's College GameDay juggernaut. Thamel is a truly unsung personality on the sports media landscape. He is a worker who seldom deals in could-bes or might-bes. Viewers can tell that his reporting stems from conversations with the people closest to a story, from players and coaches to administrators. He is every bit the in-depth, well-connected reporter that ESPN's Adam Schefter, Shams Charania and Jeff Passan are in their respective coverage of the NFL, NBA and MLB.
A Content Pace Worth Noting
College Football Live demonstrates an economy of commentary. The show moves quickly from one topic to another while still delivering thorough analysis and incisive opinions. Mehenti serves as a terrific moderator, particularly in the two-shot with Dvoracek and Coughlin. The trio provided a solid look at this weekend's Alabama-Tennessee game. This annual rivalry matchup features a cigar tradition in which fans of the winning team channel their inner Red Auerbach and light up a victory stogie in the stadium. The game carries playoff implications, but it also represents a battle for pride. Dvoracek asserted that Alabama's defense takes the ball away as good as any defense in the country. Hot takes like this are a staple of College Football Live, but the statistical evidence that follows separates the program from other shows. This is not vapid bluster. There is plenty of meat on the bone when these analysts speak.
In addition to relevant graphics, the show incorporates plenty of B-roll from previous games, giving viewers a closer look at the players under discussion. The clips also take the program beyond the studio and onto the field, showcasing the in-game excitement that makes college football so compelling. Thamel took center stage again to discuss key injuries that could affect the outcomes of this weekend's games. Specifically, he provided an update on Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor. Thamel reported that Taylor's status for the Bulldogs' upcoming game at LSU remained in flux because of a right foot and lower leg injury.
The final graphic might have been the show's best. It illustrated how several SEC teams fared after big wins this season. Ole Miss beat LSU before losing to Florida. Florida beat Ole Miss before falling to Missouri, while Mississippi State beat Missouri before losing to Alabama. The sequence perfectly encapsulated the unpredictability and parity that have defined the conference this year.
College Football Live might not have the profile of College GameDay, NFL Live or NBA Today, but it is among ESPN's best-produced and best-directed programs. With Mehenti, Dvoracek, Coughlin and Thamel, the show delivers one of the most complete, compact and concise looks at college football on television today.
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Originally reported by yahoo.