First Take

First Take resumes with a preview of Clemson v LSU this weekend. Should we expect any tempers to flare between the teams due to their coaches' comments this past week. How much does Dabo Sweeney have to prove after some down seasons? Then Big Perk joins the show to give his opinions on the Clippers disaster and the punishments that came with it. Next Stephen A. goes over his top five NFL teams heading into the season, and some of his choices may surprise you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst joining to discuss the punishments given to Kawhi Leonard, Steve Ballmer and the Clippers. Who got punished the most? Was Kawhi let off easy? Then Stephen A. and the crew dive into Deion Sanders and Colorado this year. How much does Deion have to prove this season? Could he be on the hot seat? Next Peter Schrager comes on to talk about the decline of Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown's relationship. Who has more to prove this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take Resumes with a message from Adam Schefter warning Stephen A. that the Cowboys are coming. Will their offseason additions be enough to dethrone the Eagles in the NFC East? Next Jordan Rodgers breaks down Caleb Williams and what his ceiling could be this year. Will the Bears repeat their success from last season? Then a look into the Chiefs, will Mahomes be able to bounce back and perform at a high level even after his ACL surgery? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with a break down of the comments made by Dabo Sweeney about Lane Kiffin and his recruiting tactics. Is Dabo in the right or does it come across as complaining? Next the crew gets into CJ Stroud's contract extension talks. Is CJ Stroud worth franchise QB money? Then Chris Fowler joins the show to preview the first full slate of college football this Saturday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take Resumes with the crew's prediction of the top 10 players in the NFL Top 100 List. Is Myles Garrett the clear best player in the NFL? Then Evan Cohen, host of UnSportsmanLike, discusses why he thinks Jalen Hurts is set up for a massive leap, potentially even to MVP. Next Paul Finebaum joins to take a look into the first official weekend of college football and discuss which teams should be on upset alert this weekend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take Begins with Lane Kiffin's comments about his teams' support. Is this entire process causing more harm than good to LSU? Is recruiting these players even worth it at this point? Then a discussion on the Rams and what they need from Aaron Donald. How good should we expect Donald to be after a two year hiatus? Next, will Burrow and the Bengals finally get over the hump or should we prepare for more of the same? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take resumes with a long lost football powerhouse. USC used to have Heisman winners and Pete Carroll. Now, Lincoln Riley is desperately trying to fill The Coliseum! Then, after adding Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett, are the Rams officially this year's villains? Next, Paul Finebaum joins to give us the latest with the SEC disputing a Louisiana judges ruling that the conference can't punish teams that add pro players returning to college!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with the triumphant returns of Aaron Donald and Stephen A.!! Donald hasn't played football in three years, and it feels like decades since SAS last appeared on First Take! Whose return has you more pumped? Then, Bill Belichick and UNC started the season BLAZING hot with a massive 15-10 win over TCU! Were we all wrong? Is Ole' Billy Boy about to right the ship in Chapel Hill? Next, does Jordan Love need to play at 2016 Rodgers levels to lead the Pack to the playoffs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take Resumes with what the 2027 top 10 picks could potentially be. What do we need to see from Dante Moore and Arch Manning to cement their draft stock? Then the crew argues who is more important to their teams' success, Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons. Next a dive into what the Chargers and Justin Herbert could look like this season. Is this the season Herbert wins MVP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with Fernando Mendoza's poor pre-season performance. Does this change our view on Mendoza? How long will the Raiders start Kirk Cousins? Then a deep dive into UNC's schedule. How many wins is realistic for them this year? Will it be enough for Bill Belichick to keep his job? Next the crew discusses which offenses are harder to defend: AFC or NFC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with NFL legend Donte 'Hitner" Whitner! Whit, Harry and DanO are troubled by a world where Tua isn't the Falcons' starter. There's no way Tua is THIS bad, right? Then, the NFL is officially ridding themselves of the Pro Bowl! Shedeur Sanders goes down in history as the Browns last Pro Bowl QB, and we get to reminisce about the greatness of Sean Taylor's Brian Moorman hit forever. RIP Pro Bowl. Next, could the NFC West get 3 teams into the playoffs? Fantasy Football Advice: The difference between the 5th and 17th ranked TE last season was 2 PPG. TEs are essentially kickers. Please don't yell at us in the comments for not posting hour 2. First Take is only one hour today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take resumes with this year's Super Bowl contenders. Can Sam Darnold strike gold again in Seattle, or will he be shipped back East?? Next, the crew discusses whether the Broncos will take a step back this upcoming season. Finally, it's time to hear what Mad Dog is mad about this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with a discussion on the approved bans of pro players returning to school by two of the biggest conferences in collegiate sports. Then a deep dive into the NFC North, are the Lions the best team? What is Jordan Love's ceiling? Next, will Mahomes & the Chiefs bounce back this season or is the dynasty coming to an end? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take resumes with Evan Cohen filling in for Stephen A. Did the Browns make a massive mistake going with Deshaun Watson over Pro Bowler Shedeur Sanders? Then, Paul Finebaum joins to discuss the current College Football coaches on the hottest seat entering the 2026-2027 season. Next, Field Yates joins to tell you how to win your Fantasy Football leagues this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with two stumbling pigskin powerhouses. The NCAA is in the thick of another eligibility controversy, while the Browns named a QB who hasn't won in 5 years as their starter. Then, C.J. Stroud looks to bounce back from a season in which he slid over 15 spots in our QB power rankings, and potentially cost himself tens of millions of dollars. How well must he play for the Texans to be Super Bowl contenders? Next, UnSportsmanLike's (6AM-10AM on ESPN2/ESPNU) Evan Cohen breaks down the Ravens schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take resumes with the Browns naming Deshaun Watson starting QB! He hasn't been good in 5 years, and is afraid of fans booing him! Is starting him the correct decision? Then, Paul Finebaum hops on to talk Indiana and if they may be underrated heading into the season... Next, coming off of the news of Deshaun starting, Kevin Clark picks the Browns schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with a simply BLASPHEMOUS decision by the Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson takes the reins week one in an attempt to finally prove to the Browns he can play QB. Is he deserving of a 6th chance, or are the Browns making a monumental mistake by not starting Shedeur? Then, Ben Johnson seemed irrationally angry at Caleb Williams for missing Colston Loveland on a simple seam route. Are his comments something or nothing? Next, how confident are you in the Bucs this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take resumes with Mendoza vs. Stroud! Which QB impressed our experts more? Then, LSU alum Swagu picks their schedule! You'll be SHOCKED to see which game he has them losing! Next, Jerry Jones speaks up on fighting! He will fine any Cowboy responsible for causing a ruckus at joint practices! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with the Raider rumination! Mendoza or Kirk? Number one overall pick, or 15 year veteran? With subpar o-line play and an abysmal receiving core, is it better to keep Mendoza sidelined until his team improves, assuring the young Hoosiers' confidence isn't flushed down the MGM Grand drain? Then, Kevin Clark picks the Cowboys schedule! How many more losing season can Jerry suffer? Next, Dan Campbell's time is running low. Jared Goff racks up top 10 QB stats annually, while Jahmyr Gibbs is the top fantasy prospect in the league! Yet, the Lions still haven't reached a Super Bowl... Is this the year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First Take begins with the NFC's and AFC's most dangerous offenses! Which team will convert more explosive plays, more 60 yd runs, more trick plays leading to wide open touchdowns: Patriots or Eagles? Then, perhaps our overindulgence into the Vikings electric QB battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy has us forgetting about their immense untapped potential as NFC contenders? Next, Jordan Rodgers picks Texas's schedule! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices