We’re Not All Like This

The Michigan Wolverines

What is a Michigan Man? Why do Michigan fans care so much about history? How similar are they to Ohio State fans? And what do they love/hate about their most Michigan coach, Jim Harbaugh? We put these questions to Jane Coaston, Ace Anbender, and Ben Mathis-Lilley in an effort to understand what it's like to root for the victors valiant.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Homefield Apparel.

The TCU Horned Frogs

This was the first episode we recorded after the 2023 season began in full, which meant I talked to Joel Anderson, Melissa Triebwasser, and Grant McGalliard within a week of TCU losing the season opener at home to Deion Sanders and Colorado. They were kind enough to explain to me:
- How that loss fits into the larger experience of being a TCU fan
- Whether last year's run to the national championship game reset expectations for the Horned Frogs
- What TCU's place is in the hearts and minds of Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex residents- The relationship TCU fans have with Gary Patterson after his less than pleasant exit
- LaDainian Tomlinson's level of appreciation from modern TCU fansAnd plenty more. Special thanks to our sponsor, Homefield Apparel.

The Miami Hurricanes

For two monstrous stretches - 1986 to 1992 and 2000 to 2003 - Miami was one of the most dominant, talented, and bombastic teams in the history of college football. But it's been a while since those halcyon days of U-ness, so I talked to Brody Logan, Chris Wittyngham, and Cam Underwood about:- When they realllllly thought Miami was back only to crash back to Earth- Which Florida program the Canes enjoy seeing struggle the most- Who Miami fans blame for the last twenty years- Why fans of Miami love to taunt, brag, and cause friction as much as the best Hurricane teams did
And more! Special thanks to our sponsor, Homefield Apparel.

The Arizona State Sun Devils

Arizona State has a reputation as a party school and, while it comes by that very honestly, the experience of rooting for Sun Devils football is not what something you would call "consistently festive and chill." On this episode, we talked to Gina Mizell, Justin Prestegard, and Brad Denny to learn more about the Territorial Cup rivalry, how ASU fans feel about leaving the Pac-12, why the 1997 Rose Bowl is the perfect microcosm of the highs and lows of the Sun Devils, and what heaven and hell look like for an Arizona State fan. 
Special thanks to our sponsor, Homefield Apparel.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame is not the kind of football program that inspires apathy in anyone. Swathed in tradition, the Fighting Irish are connected, often via bad feelings on one or both sides, to a number of other teams all around the college football landscape. They are the school simultaneously nestled at the center of the sport and most loudly criticized for what outsiders perceive as undeserved attention, influence, or respect. 
So what is it like to root for the school that sits at the intersection of history, Catholicism, and constant expectation? We talked to Jessica Smetana, Joshua Vowles, and Mike Golic Jr. to get a better sense of how Notre Dame fans feel about the value of independence, the school they hate losing to the most, and which negative stereotype of the Fighting Irish fanbase is the most accurate. Special thanks to our sponsor, Homefield Apparel.

The Iowa Hawkeyes

For over two decades, Iowa football has been a model of consistency, with 19 bowl appearances since 2001 thanks in large part to tenacious defense and special teams. But with that consistency comes some limits; Iowa hasn't won a share of the Big Ten title since 2004, and the Kirk Ferentz offense is...a stylistic choice.
To better understand what it's like to root for the Hawkeyes, I interviewed Lucy Rohden, Adam Kramer, and Patrick Vint and asked them what Iowa fans expect from the program, what the Ferentz legacy would be if he retired after this year, and to explain how Iowa stole farmers from the ag school in the state.Thanks as always to Homefield Apparel for sponsoring the show.

The Auburn Tigers

The goal of We're Not All Like This is to talk to representatives of fan bases to understand what makes those groups tick, what matters to them, and why they are the way that they are. There's probably not a better team to start with than Auburn, the perpetual chaos machine that defies pattern or understanding. What's it like to root for such a turbulent team? Who do Auburn fans look to as their emotional center? What do they secretly fear?
 
My guests on this episode - Justin Ferguson, Jerry Hinnen, and Lydia - answer those questions and others as they help me understand what it's like to be born into the Auburn Family.
 
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