The Fifth Quarter Podcast

It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year as The Fifth Quarter Podcast gets you set for bowl season in its entirety! We look at Texas A&M and Houston's bowl destinations, as well as preview what college basketball in Texas could set up to be in the New Year. Of course, we pick all 42 bowl games including the CFP Semifinals and the Army/Navy game. Enjoy this festive season and we will talk to you in 2022! Gig'em Aggies, Go Coogs, and Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 

After a chaotic, wild, and crazy Rivalry Weekend, Desmond and George break down the conference championships and what final steps some teams need to take to secure their spots in the CFP. They also talked about Texas A&M and what to expect in their bowl game, whether Houston can pull off a massive upset, and how the coaching carousel has impacted and will impact college football. We will catch you next week for conversation on the CFP selections, the Heisman Trophy, and predictions for the bowl games. Gig'em Aggies, Go Coogs (and Meep Meep Roadrunners!), and talk to you next week! 

Desmond and George set the stage for Turkey Day football and rivalry weekend in college football as the amount of time to make a statement to the CFP is winding down. This episode of The Fifth Quarter Podcast included Aggies/Tigers and Cougars/Huskies previews, a discussion regarding the CFP Rankings, and some game picks. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday festivities and we will catch you next week for championship weekend! Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs!

After the Texas Longhorns lost in overtime to Kansas at home in Austin, the 66th episode of The Fifth Quarter Podcast breaks down all the other action from week 11 of the college football season. Desmond and George look back at Texas A&M/Ole Miss, Houston/Temple and set the scene for what to expect in the upcoming college basketball season. With some game picks and a look at whether UTSA will win the C-USA and if SFA can get into the FCS Playoff Bracket closed out the episode. We'll talk to you next week for some Thanksgiving weekend rivalry games and the set up for conference championship games. Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs! 

On this Veterans Day, not only do we honor those who serve, have served, or will serve, but we also look ahead to week 11's college football matchups. Desmond and George, in this episode of the Fifth Quarter Podcast, look ahead to the top 15 showdown between Texas A&M/Ole Miss, another crucial win opportunity for Houston, how the state of Texas will favor in bowl season, and make some game picks. Thanks for listening and we will catch you next week. Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs! 

The first edition of the CFP rankings, a massive upset in the American, and the only ranked matchup of week 10 open up the month of November and season 4, episode 10 of The Fifth Quarter Podcast! Desmond and George look back at the SMU/Houston game, give their opening statements on the first CFP rankings, and make some picks including a big one involving George's small school. Enjoy your week and we'll catch you next week! Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs! 

Happy Halloween from the Fifth Quarter Podcast! The only scary thing this week is not seeing the potent Aggie defense on the field this week because of a bye week. However, a scary good game looks to take place in Houston as the Cougars square off against SMU. So many teams hoping to avoid seeing ghosts and getting upset so we had to game picks for you, along with the oldest recurring segment of the podcast: Trick or Treat (Buy or Sell: Halloween edition). Be safe and we will talk to you next week, for two good showdowns between Auburn/Texas A&M and UTSA/UTEP! So long! 

Desmond and George are joined on this week's episode of The Fifth Quarter Podcast by George's friends and A&M sophomores Matthew Wilson and Alli Yates to talk week 8 of the college football season. A ho-hum win by the Aggies, a Houston bye week, and lots of UTSA hype help round out the first half of the podcast. Some talk on the top 25, primarily about the state of Texas' rankings and Cincinnati's CFP hopes, help set the stage for some game picks. As always, we mentioned small schools and closed things out. Talk to you next week on the podcast - Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs! 

"If You're Gonna Play in Texas," it's best that you don't lose..... Desmond and George kickoff a much anticipated episode of the Fifth Quarter Podcast, breaking down the upset that shook the college football world, as Texas A&M took down No. 1 Alabama in College Station. We look ahead to Houston's remaining competition and what to expect, before two-stepping into some big matchups, including Mormons vs. Baptists (BYU/Baylor). Finally we hand out and award our midseason trophies, including the coveted midseason Heisman; add some game picks in there too. Talk to you next week and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs!  

Week 6 of the college football season plays host to a bunch of flashy showdowns including Texas/Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, Alabama/Texas A&M in Kyle Field, and Houston/Tulane in the Big Easy. Desmond and George welcome Desmond's former roommate Ethan Saenz back to the Fifth Quarter Podcast to talk about all things in these matchups. Some upsets were chosen, and some interesting picks were made. Here's to another great week of college football and as always Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs! Talk to you next week! 

Easing on the overreactions, Desmond and George look back to Arkansas/Texas A&M and Navy/Houston, focusing on where improvements can be made. After Two Stepping Through Texas and the Battle of the Piney Woods, they look back to the crazy September that was, and what to look for in the October that will be. Some interesting game picks, including an upset, round out an exciting look and highly anticipated week 5 in the 2021 season. We'll catch you next week and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs! 

After strong defensive performances by both Houston and Texas A&M in week 3, Desmond and George look ahead to Houston/Navy and quite arguably the biggest showdown in recent history of the Southwest Classic: 16 Arkansas/7 Texas A&M. Additionally, they "two-stepped through Texas" with the Chancellor's Spurs (Texas Tech/Texas) and the Iron Skillet (SMU/TCU) up for grabs, along with UTSA/Memphis with the best Group of 5 game of the week. Lots of game picks, including two interesting upset predictions followed with some interesting discussion. Hope you tune in and talk to you next week. Gig'em Aggies and Go Coogs! 

Happy Friday from the Fifth Quarter Podcast! Desmond and George get you set for week 3's college football action including how Houston looks to build off the momentum from the Bayou Bucket win, how Texas A&M can bounce back and settle its fanbase in preparation for SEC, and how Texas gets a nice recipe to hopefully steer the ship back into open seas. Some really good game picks settle out this simple recipe for a good early season podcast episode! Join us next week for our small school choices and some really solid games, including Texas A&M/Arkansas! Gig'em Aggies and Go Cougars!

As we get set for week 2 of the 2021 college football season, we reflect and remember that fateful Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001 with the 20th anniversary occurring on Saturday. Desmond and George, in addition to reflecting, take a look at the upcoming games for Houston and Texas A&M, along with the rest of the Lone Star State. Some game picks and a top 3 countdown of our most impactful sport memories that changed America/brought the country together followed. 

We remember, we will never forget 9-11-01. Thanks for listening and we will talk to you next week. Gig'em Aggies and Go Cougs! 

Full stadiums and the fanfare of college football...it's all back and ready to go for the 2021 season and so is the Fifth Quarter Podcast! Join George and Desmond as they preview Texas Tech/Houston, Kent State/Texas A&M, go around the Lone Star State for some opening storylines, and pick some games! Lots in store for the Season 4 premiere and the return of the Fifth Quarter! Feel free to DM us on Twitter (@the5qpodcast) or Instagram for our listener's choice game each week! Hope you enjoy this week's episode; Gig'em Aggies, Wreck'Em Tech, Go Coogs, and Happy Back to School! 

Desmond and George, joined by George's uncle and guest Mike Masciangelo, break down the Aggies' bowl game against North Carolina, as well as openly discuss the CFP's decision-making in regards to the top 4 and the rest of the New Year's Six. Finally, the episode concludes with a college basketball check-in and picking the remainder of the bowl games. Continue to wear your mask and we wish you good tidings into the New Year.  Gig'em Aggies, Wreck 'Em Tech and Cheers to 2020 ~ Hello 2021!! Originally recorded on 12/28/20. 

Ahead of Championship Saturday (Dec. 19), Desmond and George (live from 2 different states) break down Texas Tech's chances of receiving a bowl bid and what the Aggies' have to do to make one final statement for the CFP. Then a discussion of certain scenarios and who should be in the CFP followed and the episode finished with the prediction of the Championship Saturday games. Continue to stay safe, wear a mask and we will get through this COVID-19 pandemic together. As always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 12/19/20. 

Des and George recap the past week of college football, including Texas Tech's season ending win and Texas A&M's all-important win over Auburn. They start talking CFP scenarios while discussing the rest of the college football world. A check in with Desmond for the early results in college basketball take them to the game picks and the end of the episode. Stay tuned for a quick episode next week with playoff predictions, final check in on teams, and all things Championship Saturday leading up to Selection Sunday. As always, wear a mask, stay safe during these festive times and Gig'em Aggies and Wreck ' Em Tech! Originally recorded on 12/10/20. 

Desmond and George heat up the college football talk, even when the temperatures are getting colder. We turn the page and calendars into December by welcoming ESPN College Football Senior Writer Adam Rittenberg into the podcast. From discussing Texas Tech's shootout with Oklahoma State to the Aggies' "convincing" win over LSU to even discussing the status of Big Ten football, the guys cover all bases in this episode and then chat with Adam about what it's been like covering college football as a media member amid a pandemic. Normal game picks are back and a check-in on the small schools before we wrap it up. A shorter episode to start the final month of regular season football. As always, continue to wear a mask, stay safe, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 12/01/20. 

After 3 years and 49 episodes, Desmond and George officially celebrate the fiftieth episode of The Fifth Quarter Podcast. With a recurring guest and good friend of the show, Hunter Prabhu, they talk through last week's college football and preview both the Texas Tech and Texas A&M games this week. The guys predicted their top 6 CFP rankings, ahead of the committee's first ranking reveal tonight. Finally some special segments including a story time and mailbag concluded the episode, not before the annual game picks! Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving and we will see you next week for an episode with a special guest. Originally recorded on 11/24/20.
Note: the #24 Tulsa @ Houston game postponement came after completion of recording the episode  

With another week of college football upon us, Desmond & George discuss the Big 12's CFP hopes, and then take a detour to discuss the results of NBA Free Agency and the NBA Draft. Don't worry for all you college football fans, they picked the biggest games of the week and had some good banter about this week's action. Please send us your questions for next week's "50th Episode Extravaganza" to theq5podcast@gmail.com or contact Desmond or George. We want to hear from you and make sure you tune in for quite the exciting episode we have planned next week. In the meantime, continue to wear a mask, stay safe, and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 11/19/20. 

Well, this week in college football has been heavily affected by the postponements of 10 games this week. Desmond and George talk about the impacts of these postponements, as well as having the regular season go into December. They discuss the upcoming Baylor/Texas Tech game and specifically focus on the postponement of the Texas A&M/Tennessee matchup that was to be played on Saturday, followed by some spicy game picks. We salute all those who serve, had served, or will serve on this Veterans Day weekend. Thank your for your service and continue to wear your masks. Stay safe and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck' Em Tech! Originally recorded on 11/12/20. 

Unlike the actual 2020 presidential election, Desmond and George have officially determined their midseason award winners for this "adjusted 2020 season." They precede the announcements with discussion from the Texas Tech/Oklahoma and Arkansas/Texas A&M game and a look at the college football universe. Game picks for this week and some hot takes follow the award ceremony. All this and much more in this week's episode. Continue to wear a mask, stay safe, and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 11/5/20. 

Please note: this episode was recorded before the Air Force @ Army game was postponed. 

A spooky Happy Halloween from the Fifth Quarter Podcast! Desmond and George talk about Texas Tech's first real win of the season as well as the annual close game between the Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks, moving to discuss the Big Ten's return and the rest of the college football universe. A favorite "Halloween" segment is back as we go "trick-or-treating" in our themed "Buy or Sell?" topic, followed by some spooky and interesting game picks. Stay safe, wear a mask, and enjoy your college football Saturday on Halloween! As always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech!

Desmond and George discuss the A&M/Miss. State game, look at Coach Wells' decisions during the Texas Tech bye week, and preview our thoughts for the return of the Big Ten, starting their games this weekend. We make some game picks and finish off with a special segment about the Texas Longhorns and the AP Top 25 (Spoiler alert: if you are a Longhorns fan, you might be triggered...). Continue to wear a mask, stay safe and healthy, and we will see you next week. As always, Gig 'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/22/20. 

Desmond and George are joined by Ethan Saenz, a senior from Texas Tech and formally Desmond's roommate, to break down the action that was week 5, including the biggest win of the Jimbo Fisher era at Texas A&M, a confusing and disappointing Texas Tech loss, a look at the SEC and Big 12 as a whole along with the rest of college football. We close the episode with our personal top 5 games we have attended in person (and some will surprise you), and game picks for this week. Please continue to wear a mask, stay safe and healthy, and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/14/20.

Desmond and George look back to the week that was in college football, the NFL and more, including the Bama-A&M game, the Texas Tech-Kansas State game, the firing of Texans HC Bill O'Brien and more. A bunch of hot takes and game picks later rounded out this week's episode. Hope you continue to stay safe and please wear a mask! As always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/07/20.

After a wild weekend in college football and on #InternationalPodcastDay, Desmond and George try to break down and navigate two very different games: Texas Tech's collapse and Texas A&M's confusing opening win. After some brief takeaways from around college football and the pro sports scene, they give their MLB Postseason picks as well as some upcoming game picks for this week's action on the gridiron. Hope you are staying safe and healthy. Continue to wear a mask and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/30/20. 

After 3 full weekends of college football, it is officially game week in the SEC! Desmond and George preview the Aggies' season opener as well as discuss the Red Raiders' Big 12 opener. Looking back at week 2 and ahead to week 3 of action gave us a sense that God may not want the Houston Cougars to play this season after 5 straight openers have either been cancelled or postponed. A check-in on the playoff sensation of the pro sports scene followed by some game picks closed out this week's episode, not to mention naming our small schools. (Spoiler Alert: they are not what you think...). Hope you are staying safe and healthy. Wear a mask and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/23/20.

After the first full weekend of the 2020 college football season, Desmond and George are back to talk all about it, including the Big 12's struggles against non-conference opponents, hot takes from the NBA and NFL, look ahead to this week's action on the college gridiron and make some ~spicy~ game picks. Hope you are staying safe and healthly. Wear a mask and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/16/20. 

On 9/11 Remembrance Day, Desmond and George look ahead to the first real weekend of the 2020 college football season. A quick look back to recap week 1, a brief discussion of the NBA playoffs and NFL opening weekend followed by some strong upsets and game picks. Continue to stay safe, wear a mask and as always, Gig’em Aggies and Wreck ‘Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/11/20.

After 5 months of uncertainty revolving around sports, Desmond and George officially kick off season 3 and the third year of the podcast. College football will look very different, and ahead of the first full week of the season, they discuss what it means for their teams and more. Following a brief discussion about the NBA bubble and what’s going on in professional sports, they make some game picks and hope to bring some normalcy back to covering sports. All that and much more in the first episode for the 2020 school year. Continue to stay safe, wear a mask and as always, Gig’em Aggies and Wreck ‘Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/01/20.

After a very long hiatus, sports decided to take a break of its own due to the now, very widespread coronavirus. In lieu of a March Madness breakdown episode, George and Desmond chat with ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Mike Couzens, recapping what happened on March 12, 2020, the day that the sports world stopped, as well as discuss NFL free agency. Hope you stay safe and as always, Gig’em Aggies and Wreck ‘Em Tech! Originally recorded on 3/19/20.

Back at it for the first time in 2020 and the new decade, Desmond and George review the Playoff Semifinals, along with the rest of bowl season, then discuss the NFL Playoffs and their Super Bowl predictions, followed by a breakdown of the National Championship Game on Monday and some college basketball talk. It was all finished with some game picks, and the announcement of new small school to become fans of. Here's to a great conclusion to the college football season and catch you next time. Gig'em Aggies and Wreck' Em Tech! Originally recorded on 1/9/20.

George and guest co-host Hunter Prabhu, filling in for Desmond, talk about the Playoff selections, as well as the NY6 bowl games. A little look at college basketball followed, along with a brief discussion about the football coaching carousel. The bowl games picks followed with a few upsets, blowouts, and close games predicted. Wishing you a very Happy Holidays from The Fifth Quarter Podcast, and we will see you in 2020! Originally recorded on 12/19/19.

In advance of Championship Saturday, Desmond and George take a look back at rivalry week as well as discuss what the Heisman Trophy will do for Joe Burrow's future. They took a look at the CFP rankings, who needs to win this week to get in, and what to watch for. A special NBA "Buy or Sell" segment followed, before finally revealing the game picks. Thanks for listening, Happy Holidays, and as always Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 12/5/19.

On this Thanksgiving Weekend, Desmond and George give you an abridged version of the podcast, only picking the biggest games of the week with some analysis for those picks, including the Red Raiders/Longhorns, Tigers/Aggies, the Iron Bowl, and much more. Happy Thanksgiving Weekend and enjoy all the family, friends, food, and football! Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 11/29/19.

After a much-needed bye week, Desmond and George are back to discuss all the college football action, including A&M's beatdown of South Carolina, as well as Texas Tech's 4th quarter collapse against TCU. They looked at possible CFP playoff scenarios, the rest of the top 25, and talked about some takeaways from early NBA action. Add in some game picks and that's all she wrote for this episode. Thanks for listening and always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 11/22/19.

For the first episode of November, Desmond and George broke down the usual, Aggies first, Red Raiders second. After a long discussion about the first CFP rankings, the talking moved into a 90-second "beat-the-clock" type segment about college basketball expectations based on week one. Add in some interesting and bold game picks, including LSU-Bama, and Penn State-Minnesota, and that was the episode. As always, thanks for listening, Gig'em Aggies, and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 11/8/19.

Happy Halloween from the Fifth Quarter Podcast! Desmond and George break down the Aggies' dominating win, discuss the Red Raiders' struggles, and name their top 5 teams prior to the first CFP rankings. A special "Trick or Treat" (buy or sell) segment and a few game picks later and that was all they had time for. Thanks for listening, and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/31/19.

Desmond and George, joined by Ben Baby, ESPN NFL writer for the Cincinnati Bengals and former Aggie Beat Writer for the Dallas Morning News, take a look back at the college football action from last week. This includes Aggies/Ole Miss, Red Raiders/Cyclones, the top 25, and a preview at the upcoming Texas Tech and Texas A&M games. Then they look at some NFL hot takes and Super Bowl predictions, before finally making some game picks with Ben. Thanks for listening, and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck' Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/23/19.

As another college football week goes by, Desmond and George are there to recap, preview and break down the results. They recapped A&M/Bama and Texas Tech/Baylor, consequently previewed A&M/Ole Miss and Texas Tech/Iowa State, updated their top 5 teams in the nation, looked the top 10's biggest tests remaining in the season, almost got into a full out brawl about NBA predictions, and made some game picks (spoiler alert: we picked Rice to cover). All that and more on this episode, so hope you enjoy and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/17/19.

We've reached the halfway mark of the 2019 college football season, meaning it's time for Desmond and George to pick some midseason awards. Additionally, they preview the A&M/Alabama, OU/Texas, Baylor/Texas Tech, make a case for the Big 12 Championship Game, and submit some game picks in for debatable questioning. Either way, another episode is in the books, so hope you enjoy, and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/11/19.

Desmond and George discuss yet another week in college football, as well as make their MLB postseason predictions. Add in what they believe is the top 5 best teams, some game picks and upsets, and even more discussion and you have Episode #26! Hope you enjoy and as always, Gig'em Aggies, and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 10/3/19.

Desmond and George take on week 4 and preview week 5 with the help of ESPN College Sports Writer and special guest Sam Khan Jr.; they look ahead to A&M/Arkansas, Oklahoma/Texas Tech, discuss problems about the top 25, break down the college transfer/redshirt rule, and make some picks. Many thanks to Sam for joining us, and as always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck' Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/26/19.

Filling in for Desmond, longtime listener and guest of the show Hunter Prabhu joins George to break down the Aggies, Red Raiders and the rest of the top 25. Looking ahead to week 4, they also venture into NFL talk, as well as making game picks for the biggest week of the college football season thus far. A big milestone next week, as we welcome in a very special guest! Thanks for listening, and always Gig'em Aggies, and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/20/19.

Desmond and George are back at it again, this time on Friday afternoon, before the slate of Week 3 games begin! We recap A&M/Clemson, UTEP/Texas Tech, discuss Week 2's action, look ahead to Week 3, buy-and-sell some propositions, as well as make some game picks! Hope you enjoy and as always, Thanks and Gig'em and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/13/19.

Desmond and George recap Week 1 of the College Football weekend, look ahead to the big Texas A&M game and Texas Tech's season potential. They look back at the top 25 results, NBA Free Agency moves, and of course pick the games for for this week's matchups. All that and more in this episode. Thanks, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 9/5/19.

Desmond and George are back at the podcast again! Football season is upon us once again, and on the first official Thursday of Week 1, we break down the Texas A&M and Texas Tech openers, as well as the eventful college football offseason. We also "Buy or Sell" some college football hot takes, ending with our usual game picks and the small school we have chosen to rep this season! All that and more in the first episode of a new season! As always, Gig'em Aggies and Wreck 'Em Tech! Originally recorded on 8/29/19.

Celebrating the 20th episode and final episode of the 2018-19 academic year, Desmond and George take your questions and answer them, which include things from Champions League soccer to Disney princesses to favorite throwback jerseys and more! Also, they discussed the impact that TAMU AD Scott Woodward has on the program as he will head to his alma mater and become the LSU AD. Take a listen and as always, Wreck' Em Tech and Gig'em Aggies! Originally recorded on 4/18/19.