Scarbo Knows with Kevin Scarbinsky

For the second time in recent weeks, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer went public to shoot down speculation that he might leave for a Big Ten school. First, Penn State. Now, Michigan. On the latest episode of Scarbo Knows, veteran Alabama sports journalist Kevin Scarbinsky explains why you should believe DeBoer, why suggestions that he's on the hot seat right now are absurd, why Damien Harris should stop living in the past and why it still would be in DeBoer's best interest not to lose again to Oklahoma.

What would the 2025 College Football Playoff be without a little controversy? The committee arrived at the right result with Alabama and Miami in and Notre Dame out, but they took a twisted road to get there. One day after dancing on Alabama's grave after its SEC Championship beatdown by Georgia, Auburn fans are bemoaning another Bama bump. Meanwhile, Notre Dame's Four Horsemen declined to ride into a bowl game. Kevin Scarbinsky tries to make sense of the madness on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Will Alabama, after winning its sixth straight Iron Bowl to advance to the SEC Championship Game, not make the College Football Playoff if the Tide loses a rematch with Georgia? Will Alex Golesh be Pat Dye with a passing game as Auburn's new head coach or another offensive guru not ready for prime time on the Plains? Kevin Scarbinsky has thoughts on those pressing issues as well as UAB's endless coaching search and Lane Kiffin's bottomless well of ways to quit on your team in the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

The better team almost always wins the Iron Bowl, although usually not without some drama along the way, especially when the game is played in Auburn. Alabama at 9-2 is playing for a spot in the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. Auburn at 5-6 is playing to go to a minor bowl. Will the haunted house that is Jordan-Hare Stadium bedevil the Crimson Tide again? Or will Alabama put down its rival for the sixth straight year? Kevin Scarbinsky tells you who wins on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Losing to Oklahoma at home was bad for Alabama. Gifting the Sooners three turnovers and a botched field goal in a 23-21 defeat was worse. But the worst thing of all for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide? They put themselves in the worst possible position because they put their playoff hopes on the line in the Iron Bowl in Auburn. As Nick Saban said, "That place is haunted, man." Kevin Scarbinsky explores Alabama's very own personal house of horrors on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

In the span of three days, Alabama will play host to two of the biggest games in the country in two different sports. The No. 8 Alabama basketball team will meet No. 2 Purdue, and the No. 4 Alabama football team will tangle with No. 11 Oklahoma. Which raises a question: Could Alabama win the national championship in both sports this season? Kevin Scarbinsky tells you why it could happen in the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

In its first game after firing Hugh Freeze, Auburn lost again, this time 45-38 at Vanderbilt in overtime, but the offense showed a pulse and the fan base embraced interim coach DJ Durkin for the passion he displayed in his postgame presser. Is he a legitimate candidate to get the full-time head coaching position on the Plains? Should he be? Or would Auburn be making another big mistake? Kevin Scarbinsky throws up a STOP sign in the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Everyone's talking about LSU and Auburn, two football programs in turmoil in search of new head coaches. No one's talking about Alabama, which has quietly put itself in SEC and national championship contention. In his second year with the Crimson Tide, Kalen DeBoer deserves credit for making the post-Nick Saban transition as smooth as possible. Kevin Scarbinsky compares and contrasts the calm at Alabama with the chaos at two of its rivals on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

The inevitable end of the Hugh Freeze error at Auburn came Sunday after the most humiliating of his 19 losses with the Tigers. Changing quarterbacks and failing to score a touchdown at home against Kentucky underscored the point that the game has passed Freeze by. After Freeze and Bryan Harsin, can Auburn get a football hire right for once? Kevin Scarbinsky has deep thoughts on the dilemma on the Plains on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

When the SEC says "It Just Means More," this is what it means: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry holding a press conference about SNAP benefits and veering wildly off the road into something his state's residents really care about: LSU football and who's going to be the next coach after Brian Kelly got fired. Landry ripped LSU AD Scott Woodward and super agent Jimmy Sexton. He got some facts wrong, but hey, he was on a roll. Kevin Scarbinsky tackles the political football that is the SEC on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

LSU fired Brian Kelly on Sunday after a dismal beatdown by Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium. Kelly is the third SEC football coach to be dismissed before Halloween, joining Arkansas's Sam Pittman and Florida's Billy Napier in the buyout checkout line. Is Auburn's Hugh Freeze next? Kevin Scarbinsky breaks down the wild SEC coaching carousel on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

The last team an Auburn football coach on the hot seat wants to see is Arkansas. Especially when that Arkansas team is coached by Auburn nemesis Bobby Petrino. Welcome to Hugh Freeze's potential nightmare in Fayetteville. ‪Kevin Scarbinsky details the history between Petrino and Auburn and dissects the matchup between two coaches trying to keep their jobs on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

The more Alabama looks like a national championship contender, the more Auburn looks like a program headed for a coaching change. It wouldn't be the first time these rivals have lived at the opposite ends of the college football spectrum. ‪Kevin Scarbinsky takes a hard look at what Auburn should do about Hugh Freeze on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

The Third Saturday in October isn't getting the national love it deserves. Alabama vs. Tennessee remains one of the elite rivalries in college football, and this is a crossroads game for both teams, who still have SEC and national title aspirations. Can Alabama stay undefeated at home under Kalen DeBoer? Can Tennessee get its first win in Tuscaloosa since 2003? This is a cigar game, and Kevin Scarbinsky brings the smoke on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Trent Dilfer and Hugh Freeze were hired within days of each other three years ago to coach very different Football Bowl Subdivision programs in Alabama. Dilfer turned out to be a disaster. UAB fired him Sunday. Freeze has been better at Auburn but not by much. His seat got even hotter after losing to Georgia. Where do UAB and Auburn go from here? Kevin Scarbinsky takes you behind the curtain on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

The joyous ride of 2013 aside, Auburn football hasn't been the same since Cam Newton led the Tigers to a magical national title season in 2010. The program is retiring his jersey Saturday as hated rival Georgia invades Jordan-Hare Stadium after dark. Can Cam help bring back the magic or will the Dogs bite Auburn for the ninth straight time? Kevin Scarbinsky takes on the man, the myth and legend in the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

There are plenty of differences between the current coaches of the Iron Bowl rivals, but one stands out. Alabama's Kalen DeBoer has been at his best against the best. Auburn's Hugh Freeze has not. The stark contrast in their records against ranked opponents highlights why Alabama looks like a national title contender and Auburn looks like a team in search of answers. Kevin Scarbinsky breaks it down on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Welcome to your nightmare, Kalen DeBoer. Just like last year, all the goodwill gained from beating Georgia will vanish if your second Alabama football team loses to Vanderbilt. Again. Just like Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, Vandy legend Diego Pavia is telling the Crimson Tide what's coming. Alabama couldn't shut down FSU. Can it shut up Pavia? Kevin Scarbinsky addresses the disrespect on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Same mistakes. Same explanations/excuses. Same empty promises. Same results. After two dispiriting losses at Oklahoma and Texas A&M, after 30 games of the Hugh Freeze Experience, which has been less than encouraging, why should Auburn football believe things are going to get better? Kevin Scarbinsky has thoughts and receipts on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

When Alabama travels to Georgia, the unstoppable hex meets the immovable jinx. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs almost never beat Alabama. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide struggle terribly away from home. Something's gotta give as the winners of 10 of the last 11 SEC titles clash. Kevin Scarbinsky tells you there are two more trends that favor only one of the SEC's big dogs. Listen and learn on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Auburn is mad, big mad, and maybe the Tigers have a right to be. They lost a gut-punch of a gut-check at Oklahoma 24-17 in one of the worst officiated games in memory. The SEC office even put out a statement admitting the crew got it wrong when it didn't flag Oklahoma on its first touchdown. Is it a conspiracy? Piracy? What can the Tigers do about it? Kevin Scarbinsky calms the waters on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

For too long now, Auburn football has been closer to the bottom of the SEC than the top. The program's first trip to Oklahoma is a great chance to climb the ladder. Both teams are undefeated and ranked, and Auburn has extra incentive. OU coach Brent Venables said no to the Auburn job a year before Hugh Freeze took it. Venables also chose transfer QB John Mateer over Jackson Arnold, who left for Auburn. Somebody's going to get a signature win Saturday. Kevin Scarbinsky has a strong lean on Scarbo Knows. 

The first quarter of the college football regular season is in the books, and when it comes to the SEC, there's much we still don't know, especially at the most important position on the field. The best quarterbacks in the league in preseason conversations have not lived up to that billing. Quite the opposite for Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier and DJ Lagway. New stars have emerged to reshape the discussion so who's No. 1 right now? It might be a guy who's been passed over more than once. Kevin Scarbinsky puts them all under a microscope on the latest episode...

Auburn will host South Alabama on Saturday, continuing a tradition of giving in-state non-conference opponents a chance to step on the field with one of the state's big boys. This kind of hospitality exists throughout the SEC - just not at Alabama. Is it a good idea to risk the kind of embarrassment Florida suffered by losing to South Florida? Kevin Scarbinsky keeps it down home, cuz, on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

Don't look now, but Auburn fans are starting to feel like they're so back. They're 2-0 and ranked in the AP poll for the first time in four years. Their new light and sound show in Jordan-Hare Stadium cranks the intensity to a new level. Their new QB1, Jackson Arnold, has been a hit, and their old coach, Hugh Freeze, looks like he's escaped the hot seat. What could go wrong? Kevin Scarbinsky offers a cautionary tale on the latest episode of "Scarbo Knows."

Auburn beating Baylor and Alabama losing to Florida State alone doesn't mean the Iron Bowl rivalry script has flipped, but trends have to stop and start somewhere. With Auburn fans smiling and Alabama fans seething, it's instructive to look back on what happened in between the eras when the Crimson Tide dominated with an all-time great coach. The numbers may shock you. Kevin Scarbinsky breaks down Auburn's best opportunity in ages on Scarbo Knows.

No one, except maybe wise, old Lee Corse, saw Florida State 31, Alabama 17 coming. Not even Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer. It's not just losing an opener for the first time since 2001 that has Crimson Tide fans lighting torches and waving pitchforks. It's the way Alabama went down without much of a fight that has fans and analysts looking up the head coach's buyout numbers. That's crazy talk. Or is it? ‪Kevin Scarbinsky cuts through the noise on this "catastrophic event" on Scarbo Knows.

They say Clemson is Auburn with a lake. Look at Auburn's opening opponent, and you could say Baylor is Auburn with a river. Their records are almost identical over the last 12 years. It's hard to say a first game is a must win, but this is as close as it gets for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers. Will they get it done in this Blackout on the Brazos? ‪Kevin Scarbinsky takes a deep dive and picks a winner on Scarbo Knows.

Before Texas travels to Ohio State, the SEC already has won the first major non-conference battle of the season with the Big Ten for college football supremacy. By announcing that it will implement a nine-game conference schedule in 2026, and keep the requirement that its teams also must play at least one Power 4 non-conference opponent, the SEC one-upped the Big Ten and shut up the likes of Curt Cignetti. What will this move mean for Alabama and Auburn future schedules and the College Football Playoff format? SEC veteran Kevin Scarbinsky breaks it down on Scarbo Knows.

No big-name college football program has been more conservative in recognizing its own history than Auburn. No more. The Tigers have decided to honor nine of their teams that were awarded national championships by some recognized organization, an increase of seven by one count, four according to the school. The news broke the day after Auburn announced it is retiring Cam Newton's number. Are you triggered yet? Longtime Auburn observer Kevin Scarbinsky wonders what's the fuss about Auburn being Auburn.

The 2025 Alabama football team is counting on Ty Simpson. Auburn is banking on Jackson Arnold. But there's another starting quarterback in this state with better numbers than either of them. It's UAB's Jalen Kitna. As kickoff gets closer, everyone's talking about Simpson and Arnold. What if Kitna turns out to be the best QB1 in Alabama this season? Veteran Monday Morning Quarterback Kevin Scarbinsky welcomes UAB expert Steve Irvine to imagine the possibilities on Scarbo Knows.

The Big 12 rejected a lucrative University of Memphis proposal for the Tigers to join that Power 4 conference. The news broke as its current home, the American Conference, launched new branding complete with slogan - Built to Rise - and mascot - Soar the Eagle. UAB once made an overture to the Big 12. That was before Bill Clark retired, UAB hired Trent Dilfer and the momentum of The Return evaporated. @KevinScarbinsky-ScarboKnows and longtime UAB advocate Jack Williams explore the future of the Blazers.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order designed to Save College Sports. OK, Boomer. But what do the people who really love college sports really want? How many teams in the College Football Playoff? In the NCAA Basketball Tournament? How long can an athlete play in college? After a lifetime in the game, ‪@KevinScarbinsky-ScarboKnows‬ thinks he knows. Check out his 10-point plan sure to satisfy college football and college basketball fans, players, coaches and administrators from the SEC to the Big Ten. Well, maybe not everyone in the Big Ten.

Kalen DeBoer didn't exactly prove himself a worthy successor to Nick Saban in his first season at Alabama. Imagine the unrest if he doesn't lead the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff this season. On the bright side, DeBoer has a history of stepping up in Year 2. The last six Alabama coaches did the same. Kevin Scarbinsky puts DeBoer's position in perspective on the latest edition of Scarbo Knows.

No more poor-mouthing. Not from Auburn coach Hugh Freeze. Not at SEC Media Days 2025. Entering his third season on the Plains, Freeze exuded more public confidence than he has at any point since taking the job. He did say he expects his Tigers to be in the playoff discussion, which would be a great leap forward after four straight losing seasons, the last two with Freeze in charge. Will this bold move pay off for him? Kevin Scarbinsky has thoughts in the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

It doesn't take much for Alabama and Auburn fans to go to battle stations. Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron opened a new front in college football's greatest rivalry with some fightin' words on his new podcast. He took shots at Auburn coach Hugh Freeze and his abysmal recruiting ranking and reduced the Tigers to second-class citizens in their own state. Kevin Scarbinsky reads between the lines on the latest episode of Scarbo Knows.

It's not easy being Hugh Freeze. After two losing seasons as the Auburn head football coach, he's taking shots about how much golf he plays and how low his current recruiting class is ranked. He will be questioned on those topics and more at SEC Football Media Days. How should he respond? What can he say? Kevin Scarbinsky has some thoughts in the latest episode of "Scarbo Knows."

How down bad has Auburn football been? The Tigers have lost eight straight games to rival Georgia and five straight to rival Alabama. They have yet to make the College Football Playoff. And they have to face nemesis Diego Pavia one more time. But Year 3 under Hugh Freeze offers hope in an improved roster and a favorable schedule that brings Georgia and Alabama to the Plains. It's about time for Auburn's long irrational nightmare to end in Jordan-Hare After Dark. Kevin Scarbinsky welcomes Scott Griffin of CBS-42 in Birmingham to break it down.

The Florida baseball coach went on a profane tirade because his NCAA Regional game time got moved back one hour. The Wake Forest coach got caught on camera uttering an ugly slur at a demonstrative Tennessee hitter. Both coaches (and their athletics directors) had to issue formal apologies for their bad behavior. Those were just the latest examples of a college sports world gone mad. Is it crazy to wonder what happened to sportsmanship? Or does that just make you a snowflake?

It wasn't so easy to hurl slings and arrows at SEC football when the league was winning all those national championships. Go two years without one, though, and everyone's lining up to mock the Evil Empire. Commissioner Greg Sankey and company are an easy target right now as the sport tries to figure out a new playoff format. Wherever college football lands, you can be sure of one thing: The SEC will find its way back to the top.

Some people call Nick Saban the GOAT, the greatest college football coach of all time. It's hard to argue with his record of seven national titles, but Saban is becoming an even larger presence in the sport in retirement. As if his presence on ESPN's College GameDay weren't enough of a bully pulpit, he's now reportedly been named co-chair of President Trump's Presidential Commission on College Sports. Saban will need all his powers of persuasion to succeed in what looks like an impossible task.

Welcome to the new SEC, where "It Just Means More" meets "Everything's Bigger in Texas." The Longhorns have become the first SEC school to reach No. 1 in the nation in four of the five major sports - football, women's basketball, baseball and softball - in the same academic year, and they did it in their first year in the league. Scott Griffin of CBS-42 in Birmingham joins Kevin Scarbinsky to break down the UT surge and Alabama's fading dominance in the NFL Draft.

Pat Forde is one of the most recognized and respected voices in sports media. Hear how the senior writer from Sports Illustrated got Heisman winner Travis Hunter into the boat, how he imagined Coach Prime at Auburn, what he thinks about the SEC vs. the Family Iamaleava, why college players getting paid makes fans so angry and, despite what you've heard, Journalism IS NOT DEAD.

A week ago, Nico Iamaleava was the returning quarterback on a Tennessee team coming off a playoff spot. Now he's the poster child for everything that's wrong with college football. That's unfair, but at the moment, through a series of major miscalculations, he's in search of a new school, and Chicken Littles everywhere see the sport's sky falling. We separate the truth from the hysteria with longtime UT insider Jimmy Hyams.

If you love college basketball, Selection Sunday is Christmas morning. The gift is your favorite team's bid to the NCAA Tournament. To compare this year's presents, Scarbo Knows host Kevin Scarbinsky assembled an all-star lineup with Buddy Martin, Franz Beard and Loren Meadows of Gator Bait Media. Phillip Marshall of Auburn Undercover and Rob Browne of SEC Sidelines Sports to debate whether SEC regular-season champion Auburn or SEC Tournament champ Florida was more likely to cut down the final nets at the Final Four.   

Bart Hyche was a high school basketball star in Alabama before Alabama was a basketball state. Now, after his playing days took him to the Final Four with Mississippi State, he follows the bouncing ball all over Alabama and the SEC as a true insider. He joins Kevin Scarbinsky to discuss the roundball renaissance in the state and the conference.

No one studied SEC basketball more closely than Wimp Sanderson as he was becoming the winningest coach in Alabama history. No one studies it more closely now in his twilight years as an elder statesman. Hear from Wimp as he explains why the SEC has become the best conference in the country in roundball and as he offers a contrarian opinion about the quality of the league now compared to his coaching days.

The first time Florida won the national title in basketball, John Brady was there at the Final Four, too, with his 2006 LSU team. The first time an SEC program hired a Samford head coach, it was LSU tapping Brady. The 2018 SEC legend tells Scarbo Knows how Florida won its third national championship, if the Gators are now a blueblood, what Texas A&M can expect from new coach Bucky McMillan and Bucky Ball and why Alabama has become a basketball state.