Jonathan Toye failed at his dream of becoming a great sportswriter and got a real job instead. Fortunately, anyone in America can start a podcast, so he can still get his takes off—while keeping his day job.
Jackson has been told he has a great radio voice and knows a ton about golf, plus a little less about many other sports.
Together with their extremely overqualified producer, sports casual, and friend, Dr. Jared Smith, they bring you Not-So Ball Knowers, a weekly podcast where Jackson delivers expert golf analysis and Jonathan pretends to be an expert on college football and basketball. They also attempt to cover major sports news across MLB, NFL, NCAA, and everything inbetween. Expect wild takes, interesting interviews, and general shenanigans from two sports-loving amateurs.
Occasionally, they interview guests who actually know what they’re talking about, which is another good reason to listen.
Not-So Ball Knowers: THE BOYS ARE BACK AND TENNESSEE BEATS ALABAMA
After a five-month hiatus, Jonathan and Jackson are finally back for Season 2 of the Not-So Ball Knowers! Tennessee’s domination of Alabama takes center stage as the guys dive into college football chaos, playoff debates, MLB postseason drama, and Jackson’s new life in Philadelphia.
Tennessee crushes Alabama, sending Jonathan into full victory mode with praise for the Vols’ defense, strength coach Derek Owings, and renewed College Football Playoff hopes.
College football chaos: NIL, transfer portal spending, growing parity across conferences, and whether expanding the playoffs to 24 teams would ruin the regular season.
Power Four rankings and TCU frustrations: The guys debate the SEC’s best teams, Tennessee’s remaining schedule, and whether Sonny Dykes has built the right roster around quarterback Jaden Craig.
NFL and MLB postseason: Early NFL power rankings, the Brewers knocking out the Dodgers, the Rays and Guardians battling for a World Series spot, and why small-market baseball deserves more love.
Life updates and sports tangents: Jackson settles into Philadelphia, Tony Vitello returns to Knoxville for the Alabama game, and the guys look ahead to the NBA season while proving they haven’t gotten any better at staying on topic.
21 May 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Caitlin Clark, Spurs Delusion, and Tennessee Football (Feat. Dargan Southard)
Jonathan is joined by sports reporter at the Des Moines Register, Dargan Southard, to discuss Caitlin Clark, Tennessee football expectations, NBA playoff reactions, and more.
Dargan reflects on covering Caitlin Clark’s rise at Iowa, describing sold-out road games, massive media attention, and how she became the most recognizable star in women’s basketball while still remaining surprisingly grounded
The boys discuss the San Antonio Spurs, praising Victor Wembanyama while repeatedly roasting Chet Holmgren and debating whether Oklahoma City is actually built to survive the series
Tennessee football expectations become a major topic, with Jonathan attempting to sound reasonable by claiming he would accept an 8–4 season
The episode also dives into Braves baseball, SEC fandom, insane Knoxville tailgating culture, and Dargan’s experiences covering Big Ten sports, NASCAR, and MLB games across the Midwest
The show closes with an infamous college backpack story
12 May 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Should #victorwembanyama Get Special Treatment?
The boys do another live feed. Jackson shares his takes on the golf world. Toye gets distracted often because he's watching Game 4 of Spurs-Timberwolves while recording the podcast.
Toye was upset Wemby got ejected early and argued superstars should be allowed to make dirty plays.
Both Jackson and Toye are rooting for the Knicks to make the #nba finals
Jackson shares his thoughts on what's happening in the #mlb
The #wnba kicked off its historic 30th season. Toye states the obvious (Paige Bueckers is good)
1 May 2026
Not so Ball Knowers: Troy Provost-Heron joins the show to discuss Red Sox debacle
Special guest Troy Provost-Heron joins Jonathan and Jackson to talk about the Red Sox debacle. They discuss their favorite baseball movies and talk some Vols. The guys also discuss the Brendan Sorsby gambling scandal and how sports betting is out of control. Troy concludes the show by sharing some of Jonathan's worst sports takes.
22 Apr 2026
Not so Ball Knowers: We did a live show because we were feeling edgy. It was okay I guess #podcast
Jackson and Toye went live for this Episode because producer Jared was out of town and Toye didn't want to really edit an episode. Here are the things these goofballs covered:-They are going to try to watch one #nbaplayoffs series to try to learn more about the NBA-They ranked Nick Saban's greatest #alabamafootball teams-They ranked the top activities that are universally beloved that they don't like #hunting #fishing (Toye is not an outdoors guy)-They discussed Tony Vitello endearing himself to #sfgiants fans and the Mets choking-College basketball #transferportal updates (#govols)-They acknowledge that the #nfldraft is on Thursday. Toye and Jackson both think Mendoza is the No. 1 pick. Toye doesn't know ball so he reads his friends' thoughts on the draft during the show.-Who is better - Drake Maye or Bryce Young-Jackson powers through a #headache
14 Apr 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Rory’s Masters Magic, Tennessee Spring Game Sads, and Vols Baseball Rebound
Rory’s Masters win takes center stage, but the guys also vent about the watered-down Orange & White game, celebrate Tennessee baseball’s bounce-back, and somehow end up debating Mike Vrabel relationship optics.
Rory McIlroy wins the Masters Tournament again, completing a legendary stretch and sending Jackson into full emotional golf mode
Masters breakdown: Rory’s Augusta brilliance, Scottie Scheffler’s weekend surge, Justin Rose’s close call, and rising star Cameron Young gets his flowers
Tennessee’s Orange & White game sparks a rant about how spring football has lost its magic for fans and kids
Tennessee Volunteers baseball sweep Mississippi State and get back on track heading toward the postseason
WNBA Draft updates, Lady Vol softball praise, and more love for Dawn Staley after social media success
Bonus chaos: Yankees live updates, college portal talk, and an unexpectedly hilarious debate about boundaries, public optics, and Mike Vrabel rumors
9 Apr 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Masters Week, Michigan Wins, Duke still Sucks, and Internet Outages Continue
Michigan cuts down the nets, MLB kicks off, and the boys dive into a full Masters preview—with plenty of chaos and live reactions along the way.
Michigan wins the title, UCLA takes the women’s championship, and NIL vs roster construction debate
Early MLB takes: Yankees hot start, Dodgers dominance, Red Sox frustration
Masters preview: Augusta traditions, field breakdown, and key storylines
Scottie Scheffler vs Rory McIlroy and other top contenders heading into the weekend
Golf injuries, form questions, and why small details matter more than ever
More Internet issues for Toye + Live Yankees Commentary
31 Mar 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Final Four Chaos, Tony Vitello Rant, and Internet Meltdown Energy
A chaotic episode with Final Four reactions, Duke hate, MLB takes, and one of the most unhinged Tennessee baseball rants yet — plus technical issues that somehow add to the experience.
Final Four reactions, Tennessee’s loss to Michigan, and the full Rick Barnes cycle debate
Duke vs. UConn drama, Dan Hurley antics, and officiating discourse
TCU Elite Eight run, March Madness expectations vs. reality
All-time Tony Vitello rant — Giants, Buster Posey, and why college coaches shouldn’t go pro
MLB early-season takes, Yankees optimism, and NL West chaos
Tiger Woods headlines, Gary Woodland comeback story, and Masters anticipation
Producer Jared joins live with takes, plus internet issues and full podcast chaos energy
24 Mar 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Vols Sweet 16 Fever, TCU Heartbreak, and MLB Opening Day Ahead
The guys recap a wild first weekend of March Madness — from TCU’s close call and Tennessee’s Sweet 16 run to Duke discourse, Cinderella debates, and the road ahead.
Jackson recaps seeing TCU’s tournament run in person in Greenville
Tennessee survives and advances again, with Rick Barnes back in the Sweet 16
Duke, officiating complaints, and why the tournament always brings chaos
Nebraska’s run, Florida’s exit, and arguments over who counts as a real Cinderella
Sweet 16 picks, women’s tournament check-in, and what’s next for TCU and Tennessee
A quick turn to MLB Opening Day, streaming frustrations, and early teams to watch
17 Mar 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: CBS Sports superstar David Cobb previews March Madness (Feat. David Cobb)
CBS Sports’ David Cobb joins the show for the biggest March Madness episode yet — breaking down the bracket, Tennessee’s path, sleeper picks, and why this tournament feels wide open.
David Cobb joins to talk bracketology, Final Four picks, and the teams he trusts most
Tennessee, Vanderbilt, TCU, and the chaos of evaluating this year’s field
Cinderella talk, transfer portal impact, and why true underdog runs are harder now
Duke skepticism, Rick Barnes discourse, and fan base delusion rankings
Players Championship recap with Ludwig Åberg’s collapse, Cam Young’s win, and bigger questions around Scottie Scheffler
12 Mar 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Conference Tourney Chaos, Golf Trivia, and a Tribute to Jared’s Late GSD, Clove
March Madness ramps up while the hosts dive into conference tournament strategy, golf history, and a mix of sports, stories, and random knowledge.
Why conference tournaments matter and how they shape the NCAA bracket
March Madness predictions, team analysis, and tournament chaos
Golf history and trivia — Sam Snead, major records, and being one month from the Masters
Building golf knowledge: course origins, legends, and upcoming tournaments
Literature detour (Pride and Prejudice) and reflections on sports fandom
A tribute to Jared's late GSD, Clove, and the personal moments that come with sports and life
3 Mar 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Scheffler Surge, WagerWatchdog, and Fan Base Rankings (feat. Joe Schindler)
Breaking news, Winter Olympics takes, and a heavy dose of golf — plus a new sports betting venture enters the chat.
Chad Baker-Mazzara’s USC exit + UT and soccer talk with Joe Schindler
Winter Olympics highs, American storylines, and controversies
Scotty Scheffler dominance, casual golf fan takes, offseason routines, and winter golf frustrations
Launch of WagerWatchdog.com (https://wagerwatchdog.com) and sports betting transparency
Ranking fan bases and why sports still matter
24 Feb 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: USA Hockey Looks Golden, Phony Duke Fans, and AK is Officially Back
A reflective episode on Tennessee sports, Olympic moments, fake Duke fans, and big storylines around college football.
Remembering Wes Rucker’s impact on Tennessee fans
Team USA Olympic highlights
Anthony Kim comeback and recent PGA Tour performances
Joey Aguilar situation, Tennessee QB battle, March Madness talk
16 Feb 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Toye Almost Died + MLB Preview (feat. Kyle Davis)
Kyle Davis joins after Toye’s near-death pre-recording story to preview MLB and talk Tennessee baseball culture.
NIL chaos and older players reshaping college sports
MLB offseason moves: Dodgers, Cubs, Nationals, Giants
Tennessee baseball under Tony Vitello + Lady Vols softball hype
World Series predictions
10 Feb 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Holy Crap We Are Getting Old
The hosts realize they’re not the young fans anymore and compare eras across sports they grew up on.
Aging as a sports fan across college and pro leagues
How college athletics and NIL changed the game
Nostalgia stories, life detours, and random takes
2 Feb 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Super Bowl LX, Basketball Parity, and the PGA Leaderboard (feat. Sam DeFord)
Sam DeFord joins for hoops chaos, NFL debates, and a full leaderboard check-in before Masters season.
College basketball parity + Tennessee under Rick Barnes
NFL coaching hires and Patriots future post-Belichick/Brady
College baseball hype
PGA leaderboard talk, Justin Rose’s moment, and Masters preview
27 Jan 2026
Not-So Ball Knowers: Kickoff
The debut episode: two friends set the tone with Super Bowl talk, SEC opinions, and early PGA chatter.
Super Bowl preview + college football landscape
NIL, strength & conditioning, and coaching culture
MLB signings and PGA Tour talk on Scheffler, Koepka, and early-season form
Knoxville detour to Xul Brewery
Reach and audience
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