Sign in

David Ubben

@davidubben.bsky.social
2.4K followers 117 following 92 posts

I type words into a computer and say things into a microphone about college football for The Athletic

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 20h
🍩 @davidubben.bsky.social ranks his Top 5 donut shops in America: BunchFormationPod.com
381
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Saturday, a Manning wearing No. 16 will be throwing passes at Neyland Stadium. But he'll be on the opposing sideline wearing a different shade of orange. On the split loyalties of Manning Bowls past, present and future. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
nytimes.com
What happens when a Manning wearing No. 16 visits Tennessee?
010
Reposted by David Ubben
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I followed around Lane Kiffin as he “walked into a storm.” It ended with beer in the air, his former players taunting him and kicked off the biggest party in Oxford in a long time. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
nytimes.com
Lane Kiffin 'walked into a storm' at Ole Miss. It didn't let up until the very end
091
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I followed around Lane Kiffin as he “walked into a storm.” It ended with beer in the air, his former players taunting him and kicked off the biggest party in Oxford in a long time. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
nytimes.com
Lane Kiffin 'walked into a storm' at Ole Miss. It didn't let up until the very end
091
Reposted by David Ubben
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
How much did your team spend on its roster? Our staff @theathletic.com spent months and talked to countless people inside and outside of every Power 4 program in search of the answer. Here's what we found. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...
nytimes.com
Does your college football roster cost $8M or $50M? Here's our report on 68 teams (Gift Article)
The best teams are, on average, the ones paying players the most, but there's a wide disparity between the schools at the top and the bottom of major conferences.
12114
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
What's going on at the places where we found rosters cost the least? I took a closer look. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
How tough is it to be Boston College? Life at the bottom of the Power 4’s spending leaderboard (Gift Article)
On paper, these schools are NIL underdogs nearly every time they step on the field against a Power 4 team.
011
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
How much did your team spend on its roster? Our staff @theathletic.com spent months and talked to countless people inside and outside of every Power 4 program in search of the answer. Here's what we found. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...
nytimes.com
Does your college football roster cost $8M or $50M? Here's our report on 68 teams (Gift Article)
The best teams are, on average, the ones paying players the most, but there's a wide disparity between the schools at the top and the bottom of major conferences.
12114
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 11/09/2026
Kansas and Missouri have gone hard this week, educating students and fans about the rivalry. Mizzou alum @davidubben.bsky.social is concerned the damage that conference realignment has done to the Border War. 🎧📺 Full Week 2 preview: BunchFormationPod.com
282
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
“You want to go old school and play it?” Inside the night the lights went out in Tallahassee. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
Inside the SMU-Florida State power outage game: A 105-minute delay and an 'old school' kickoff
020
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 04/09/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation - Colorado stuns Georgia Tech - UMass did WHAT??? - Why is LSU pushing it this far? - We debate Pop Watson vs Soda Watson 🎧 Listen: BunchFormationPod.com 📺 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0YT...
262
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Flipping narratives in Carolina. Should we be concerned about USC and FSU? FBS debuts and more. We talked every Week 0 game. Plus, how @chrisvannini.com and I got to where we are today and our own CFB/journalism journeys. Watch/listen: bunchformationpod.com
050
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
What happens when your program is consistently good but not quite great? And well-resourced but not quite rich? "I’ve got to make business decisions sometimes." On Dave Doeren and NC State, life in the middle and the stakes of an expanded CFP. www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
nytimes.com
NC State is college football’s ultimate high-floor, low-ceiling program. Can that change? (Gift Article)
NC State is one of the most consistent programs in the sport — good, but never great. What's life like in college football's middle?
002
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 24/08/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation - Explaining why NFL players are coming back to CFB - We make our CFP bracket and Heisman picks - @davidubben.bsky.social has a neighborhood dilemma 🎧📺 Listen/Watch: BunchFormationPod.com
011
Reposted by David Ubben
Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Freddy (FreddyLA7) made social media waves during the World Cup while visiting the U.S. and wants to hit college football next. So what do you need to know about making an ultimate CFB road trip? @davidubben.bsky.social and I asked a few vets for their advice: www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
nytimes.com
For Freddy — or anyone — embarking on a college football road trip this fall, take these tips
001
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Robert Morris fans are buying up Akron season tickets in hopes of winning the raffle and sabotaging the opening drive. And Pat McAfee might be getting involved soon. Talked to Robert Morris' AD and the Akron folks with Devon Henderson for this story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...
nytimes.com
Why is one school in the MAC letting season-ticket holders call plays on offense?
011
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 30/07/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation The great Chuck Klosterman joins us for a fun conversation. Why we love college football, how it's changed and predicting the future of the sport. 🎧📺 Listen/Watch: BunchFormationPod.com
3203
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 09/07/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation - What really happened at Big 12 media days - Why Deion Sanders keeps taking shots at @davidubben.bsky.social - More Sorsby fallout + Thoughts on our convos with every team 🎧📺 Listen/Watch: BunchFormationPod.com
262
Reposted by David Ubben
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The Sugar Bowl was in two days. Then Texas learned it had a player who was 30 years old. He had already played professional football and had been competing all season under a fake name. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...
nytimes.com
The 30-year-old who fooled Texas and played for the Longhorns under a false identity
910625
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The Sugar Bowl was in two days. Then Texas learned it had a player who was 30 years old. He had already played professional football and had been competing all season under a fake name. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...
nytimes.com
The 30-year-old who fooled Texas and played for the Longhorns under a false identity
910625
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
What happened to giant shoulder pads? It's a simple question. My search for why was a little more complex. "It's scary." Gift link to read for free: www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
495
Reposted by David Ubben
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Talked with a dozen HCs today about the Brendan Sorsby news. They're angry, confused and disillusioned. "Unbelievable." "F---ing crazy" "Egregious." "One of the worst things I’ve seen in 20 years of coaching.” Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
College coaches react to Brendan Sorsby court ruling: ‘What are we doing?’ (Gift Article)
One Power 4 athletic director told The Athletic their school would no longer consider scheduling Texas Tech in any sport.
710431
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Talked with a dozen HCs today about the Brendan Sorsby news. They're angry, confused and disillusioned. "Unbelievable." "F---ing crazy" "Egregious." "One of the worst things I’ve seen in 20 years of coaching.” Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
College coaches react to Brendan Sorsby court ruling: ‘What are we doing?’ (Gift Article)
One Power 4 athletic director told The Athletic their school would no longer consider scheduling Texas Tech in any sport.
710431
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 05/06/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation: The CFB27 reveal. @davidubben.bsky.social and I break down everything new in the game. Then we talk with CFB27 Production Director Christian McLeod about what went into the changes. 🎧📺 Listen/Watch: BunchFormationPod.com
031
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 05/06/2026
🚨🎮 For the first time, EA Sports CFB27 will let you pay players + coaches and upgrade facilities. It's Dynasty Mode's biggest revamp in decades. Here's everything new in CFB27, plus thoughts from me and @davidubben.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
54711
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
What's new in #CFB27? NIL is here, plus deeper dynasty, gameplay tweaks and a ton more. @chrisvannini.com and I got an inside look this week and offered some explanation and thoughts. Here's free access to our story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
EA Sports' College Football 27 gameplay reveal: Here's what's new in the game
131
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
He was one of the sport's biggest stars. Then a run of injuries and dropped passes marred a frustrating sophomore season. With a new number and a name change that runs deep, Ryan Coleman-Williams is chasing a rebirth. I made this story free to read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...
nytimes.com
Alabama's Ryan Coleman-Williams has a new name — and strives for a football 'rebirth' along with it
020
Reposted by David Ubben
Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
If your school doesn't have a mixed-use district yet, it's probably thought about one. Or your rival is building one. So what the heck are these things? And why are they the latest craze in the college sports facility arms race? From me and @davidubben.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...
nytimes.com
How mixed-use stadium districts — for work, play and football — became college sports’ latest craze
As schools look under every rock for money in the revenue-sharing era, trying to generate money from the area around the stadium is a trend.
4134
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 18/04/2026
Will be live here and on YouTube at 8 pm CT for Bunch Formation Bowl V: Me vs. @davidubben.bsky.social in our CFB26 dynasty, with live commentary. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fduN...
youtube.com
Bunch Formation Bowl V: Chris vs. David (CFB26 Dynasty)
YouTube video by Bunch Formation
141
Reposted by David Ubben
Alex Kirshner @alexkirshner.com · 17/04/2026
Real good by @davidubben.bsky.social and the quotes from Will Howard and Riley Leonard are way more honest than you'd get out of most players www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
nytimes.com
For some NFL Draft prospects, joining the league now means a pay cut from college football (Gift Article)
“I’m definitely making less with the Colts,” former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard said. And he's not alone.
2173
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Being drafted in the NFL has almost always meant fulfilling a lifelong dream. For a growing numbers of prospects, it now means something else: Taking a pay cut. “It’s weird. It’s definitely different.” (Story is free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
nytimes.com
For some NFL Draft prospects, joining the league now means a pay cut from college football
142
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 02/04/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation - Pete Golding responds to Dabo's tampering allegations - New strict transfer penalties - @davidubben.bsky.social on his South Carolina/NC State visits - I ADDRESS the response to my Duke hate story 🎧📺 Listen/Watch: linktr.ee/bunchformation
141
Reposted by David Ubben
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
He ran a 4.47 40. He jumped 45 inches. Then he kicked a 70-yard field goal. But Jaffer Murphy’s winding road to the wildest Pro Day performance ever is even more remarkable. This story is free to read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
nytimes.com
An NFL Draft prospect went viral. But a winding road and bet on himself put him on the map (Gift Article)
Jaffer Murphy didn't attempt a field goal last season at UTSA. But his long kicks and 4.5-second 40-yard dash turned heads this month.
0166
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
He ran a 4.47 40. He jumped 45 inches. Then he kicked a 70-yard field goal. But Jaffer Murphy’s winding road to the wildest Pro Day performance ever is even more remarkable. This story is free to read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...
nytimes.com
An NFL Draft prospect went viral. But a winding road and bet on himself put him on the map (Gift Article)
Jaffer Murphy didn't attempt a field goal last season at UTSA. But his long kicks and 4.5-second 40-yard dash turned heads this month.
0166
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
I tracked down the guys serenading the ACC Tournament with Goo Goo Dolls and Creed. “It’s a really powerful song. It’s kind of in my vocal range as well." Here's a free link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
412720
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Deion Sanders is back for Year 4 at Colorado. Except almost everything around him is different this year. Will that mean an improvement on 3-9? "We’re in a critical juncture right now." www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
nytimes.com
Deion Sanders enters Year 4 at Colorado surrounded by change. Will the results flip, too?
Colorado has two new coordinators and a new athletic director, but it should have more stability at quarterback in 2026.
011
Reposted by David Ubben
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
It currently costs around $2,000 to get in the door for Duke's home finale on Saturday against UNC. "But no amount of money can get you into Section 17." The price? Living in a tent outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium for six weeks. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
nytimes.com
At Duke, camping out in Krzyzewskiville for UNC is an 'unofficial graduation requirement'
021
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
It currently costs around $2,000 to get in the door for Duke's home finale on Saturday against UNC. "But no amount of money can get you into Section 17." The price? Living in a tent outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium for six weeks. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
nytimes.com
At Duke, camping out in Krzyzewskiville for UNC is an 'unofficial graduation requirement'
021
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 23/02/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation 🎮 We've played a lot of CFB26 since the season ended, so it's time for a long-term review of the game, w/ guest @jasonkirk.fyi 🎮Plus the latest on 2K college hoops, and @davidubben.bsky.social's controversial salad dressing idea 🎧📺 Listen/Watch: linktr.ee/bunchformation
252
Reposted by David Ubben
Sam Khan Jr. @skhanjr.com · 23/02/2026
College football had 34 head coaching changes. Here are 10 lessons from a bizarre carousel. Good analysis here from @chrisvannini.com and @davidubben.bsky.social on the most recent coaching cycle @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
nytimes.com
College football had 34 head coaching changes. Here are 10 lessons from a bizarre carousel (Gift Article)
What coaches, agents, athletic directors and search firms are taking away from one of the busiest college football coach carousels ever.
083
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 20/01/2026
🎙 New Bunch Formation 🏆 Indiana won the national championship and anything feels possible now. Me on no sleep + little voice in Miami, with a well-rested @davidubben.bsky.social. 🎧 Listen: linktr.ee/bunchformation
1112
Reposted by David Ubben
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Going live now with @chrisvannini.com to talk about that bonkers semifinal. youtube.com/watch?v=uIXZ8Zp3nhQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE
youtube.com
Ole Miss-Miami INSTANT REACTION
YouTube video by Bunch Formation
031
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Going live now with @chrisvannini.com to talk about that bonkers semifinal. youtube.com/watch?v=uIXZ8Zp3nhQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE
youtube.com
Ole Miss-Miami INSTANT REACTION
YouTube video by Bunch Formation
031
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 23/12/2025
🎮 Time for Bunch Formation Bowl II, David vs. me in our CFB26 dynasty. Come watch the stream (no commentary due to mic issues). www.youtube.com/live/P3nqmCu...
youtube.com
Bunch Formation Bowl II
YouTube video by Bunch Formation
011
David Ubben @davidubben.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Bunch Formation Bowl II is scheduled for tonight at 9:30 ET. @ChrisVannini and I will stream it on our YouTube channel here. Subscribe and you'll get notifications when we go live. The first game is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbz0...
youtube.com
Bunch Formation Bowl
YouTube video by Bunch Formation
001
Reposted by David Ubben
Jason Kirk @jasonkirk.fyi · 16/12/2025
Thank you to @davidubben.bsky.social, @rodger.bsky.social, @lucyrohden.bsky.social, and @escalante.bsky.social for guiding readers to reconsider several allegedly bad bowl games
2669
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 15/11/2025
We'll be live for Bunch Formation After Dark tonight on YouTube when Texas-Georgia ends. Come hang and let's talk about the day in CFB. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLHX...
youtube.com
Week 12 Live Reactions! - Bunch Formation After Dark
YouTube video by Bunch Formation
021
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 16/11/2025
Going live now
031
Reposted by David Ubben
Jason Kirk @jasonkirk.fyi · 15/11/2025
This is what South Carolina looks like when @davidubben.bsky.social plays as them in our dynasty. Actually that's not true, my Aggies struggled far more gracefully against them than these Aggies are
1441
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 10/11/2025
Texas Tech a top-5 job in college football? In this new era, @davidubben.bsky.social says few jobs are better. Full discussion on today's Bunch Formation: linktr.ee/bunchformation
111
Reposted by David Ubben
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 31/10/2025
The Halloween episode of Bunch Formation revealed @davidubben.bsky.social never went trick-or-treating as a kid?? Plus an FCS officiating conspiracy theory, why the NCAA lifted gambling bans, Week 10 picks and more. 🎧📺 linktr.ee/bunchformation
121