Josh Pate knows what makes college football great: ‘I feel ownership of this sport’

If we are ever looking to hit the transfer portal, we are putting a hard look at the program building at Pate State. National analyst Josh Pate, the voice behind "Josh Pate’s College Football Show" and a prominent ESPN contributor, recently joined 205focus.com’s “Beat Everyone” podcast to stare into the crystal ball of a rapidly evolving sport.

College football is currently shrouded in a thick summer fog of uncertainty, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering what the future holds. Pate admits the current climate has him on edge, even joking about the state of his own fingernails as he navigates the unpredictability of the modern game. Yet, for all the shifting landscapes, Pate remains anchored by his passion for the sport.

The State of the Crimson Tide

The conversation turned to the 2026 outlook for Alabama. With minimal remnants of the Nick Saban era left in Tuscaloosa, the program now belongs fully to Kalen DeBoer. Pate argues that for Alabama to thrive, the team must return to its fundamental identity: a dominant run game, defensive consistency on third downs, and an ability to control the line of scrimmage.

"You need a quarterback to definitively take that job," Pate said, pointing to Keelon Russell as a likely candidate to lead an offense centered around the RPO game. Beyond the signal-caller, Pate emphasized the need for an aggressive, ball-hawking secondary that can serve as a scoring threat, reminiscent of vintage Alabama defenses from a decade ago.

A New Reality for Dynasties

Pate offered a sobering perspective on the current age of college football, suggesting that the era of programs consistently dominating like Alabama did under Saban has likely passed. He equates the shifting landscape to a gravitational change, noting that even top-tier programs like Georgia and Ohio State are grappling with a reality where loading up a roster no longer guarantees the same margin for error.

When discussing the throughline connecting the head coaches he has interviewed this year—a list including DeBoer, Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney, and Curt Cignetti—Pate noted a shared frustration with the lack of clear rules. These coaches are operating in an environment where they feel powerless to define the calendar, yet they remain committed to the standard of excellence their programs demand.

Rivalries and the Future

Looking toward the Iron Bowl, Pate is intrigued by Auburn’s new leadership. He noted that while Alabama often approaches the game with a sense of complacency born from recent history, the rivalry remains a focal point for Auburn. As for the general direction of the sport, Pate remains a staunch defender of the regular season’s integrity.

"I feel ownership of this sport," Pate declared. He expressed concern that many current decision-makers in college athletics fail to understand what truly makes the game special, risking the sport's fabric for short-term financial gains.

Rapid-Fire Insights

• National Title Contender: Yes, Alabama will compete.
• Program Ceiling: Alabama remains a program capable of competing for a title every year.
• The BCS Era: Pate misses the weight of the old bowl system, even if the playoff is necessary for crowning a champion.
• Game of the Year: LSU vs. Ole Miss.
• The "Twister" Factor: Pate calls the lunch scene at Aunt Meg’s house the pinnacle of American cinema.

You can catch the full discussion on the “Beat Everyone” podcast, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite shows.