3 and Out with John Middlekauff

On this episode of 3 & Out, John Middlekauff dives into the latest NFL news before making his 2026 NFL predictions, including his picks for division winners and the teams he believes will make the playoffs.
John starts with Tua Tagovailoa starting for the Atlanta Falcons, discussing the quarterback situation and what expectations should be heading into the season. He also breaks down Deshaun Watson being named a captain by the Cleveland Browns and what that says about his standing within the organization.
The Patriots and Christian Gonzalez are also on the agenda, as John examines the latest surrounding New England and one of the team's most important players. Plus, John discusses Tony Romo and the latest NFL storylines around the league.
Then it’s prediction time. John gives his picks for the AFC and NFC division winners, before laying out his AFC Wild Card and NFC Wild Card selections. Which teams are positioned to make a run, and which playoff contenders could surprise?
From Tua and Watson to Christian Gonzalez, Tony Romo, and John's full NFL playoff predictions, it’s all covered on this episode of 3 & Out.
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Colin is joined by John Middlekauff, host of “3 and Out” on The Volume.
They start with Michigan’s rocky start in their first game under coach Kyle Whittingham and the regression shown by quarterback Bryce Underwood (2:30), they also discuss the crazy ending to their game against Western Michigan (7:30).
They pivot to Clemson being humiliated by LSU and Colin questions whether it’s time for head coach Dabo Swinney to go (12:15), and they make their predictions on how LSU will fare under Lane Kiffin (17:30).
Colin argues Miami’s Darian Mensah looks like the best quarterback in college football, and could have a special season now that he’s paired with dynamic wide receiver Malachi Toney (26:00). They also discuss the growing disparity between the power conferences and the mid-majors despite Boise State putting a scare into #2 Oregon (29:30).
They move to the mess at UNC under Bill Belichick and why hiring a “friends and family” staff has hamstrung the program (37:00).
They pivot to the NFL and make their Super Bowl predictions and preview Seahawks vs. Patriots to open the NFL season (49:00).
They preview the Rams vs. 49ers this Thursday on Netflix and Colin believes the Rams will become the target for everyone’s best shot since they’re the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl… and that it’s no guarantee the Rams even win their division (56:00).
Finally, they react to Tua Tagovailoa winning the starting quarterback job for the Falcons (1:07:00)
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.)
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On this episode of 3 & Out, John Middlekauff dives into another loaded week of college football, breaking down the biggest games, programs, and storylines making headlines around the sport.
John starts with Western Michigan vs. Michigan, examining the Wolverines' performance and what the game tells us about where Michigan stands as the season continues.
The conversation then turns to Clemson vs. LSU, one of the marquee matchups of the week. John breaks down the game, the pressure on both programs, and what the result could mean for their College Football Playoff hopes.
John also discusses Boise State vs. Oregon, looking at Oregon's continued rise and whether the Ducks are firmly in the conversation among the nation's elite programs.
Plus, John weighs in on Dabo Swinney, the changing landscape of college football, and how Indiana has become a major player in NIL. What are the Hoosiers doing differently, and can their approach continue to work?
The episode also covers Miami vs. Stanford and the latest surrounding Arch Manning, as the Texas quarterback continues to draw massive attention every time he steps on the field.
From Michigan and Oregon to Clemson, LSU, Indiana, and Arch Manning, John breaks down the biggest storylines across college football on this episode of 3 & Out.
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On this episode, John Middlekauff and Jackson Groff take a deep dive into the biggest storylines in college football, with plenty to debate as the season begins to take shape.
They kick things off with the ongoing Big Ten vs. SEC debate. Which conference is truly the best in college football, and which league has the strongest collection of teams capable of competing for a national championship?
The conversation then turns to Arch Manning and the enormous expectations surrounding the Texas quarterback. Is the hype justified, and what should we realistically expect from Manning as he steps into the spotlight?
John also breaks down Notre Dame, including the Fighting Irish's place among the nation's elite and whether they can compete with the Big Ten and SEC powerhouses.
Plus, Oregon and USC, two programs with massive expectations and even bigger recruiting footprints, before diving into Oklahoma and Indiana and what their seasons could look like.
The episode wraps with a look at Cal and the evolving college football landscape, where conference realignment continues to reshape the sport.
From conference supremacy and superstar quarterbacks to Notre Dame, Oregon, USC, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Cal, The Return of Kauff on Campus has you covered with John Middlekauff's perspective on the biggest stories in college football.
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On this episode of 3 & Out, John Middlekauff reacts to the shocking return of Aaron Donald to the NFL. After stepping away from football, the future Hall of Famer is back—and John breaks down what motivated the comeback, what Donald can still bring to the field, and what his return means for the league.
John also dives into the incredible story of Jalon Daniels, who went undrafted but battled his way toward earning an NFL roster spot. John discusses Daniels' journey, the obstacles he overcame, and why stories like his are what make the NFL so compelling.
The conversation then shifts to college football, where Bill Belichick and UNC picked up a statement win over TCU. John breaks down what the victory says about Belichick's transition to the college game and whether UNC could become a legitimate factor under the legendary coach.
Plus, USC dominated its opponent, but the performance came with a surprising storyline: the stadium was practically empty. John discusses the atmosphere surrounding the Trojans, what the lack of attendance says about the program, and why winning isn't always enough to capture a fan base.
From an NFL legend making a comeback and an undrafted player fighting for his dream to Bill Belichick's college debut and USC's attendance problem, it's all covered on this episode of 3 & Out.
Follow John on Twitter, and Instagram for the latest.
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