The Height Differential is a sports podcast where two friends break down the games, stories and moments that matter—one from way up high, the other closer to the ground. With a foot and a half of height difference (and just as much difference in perspective), we bring big takes, hot debates and plenty of laughs to everything in the world of sports.
Recent Episodes
2
Sept. 3, 2026
NFL Division Predictions, Joe Burrow’s Bold Bengals Claim & Leading Change’s Travers Upset
The NFL is finally here, and we're making our picks! We predict the finish — 1 through 4 — in every NFL division and debate whether Joe Burrow is right when he says this Bengals team is different. We also react to the Raiders naming Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starter instead of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Then it's time to hit the links and the racetrack. We recap Scottie Scheffler's FedExCup-winning performance and break down the Travers Stakes, where Leading Change pulled off a huge
Aug. 31, 2026
State Fair Food Draft: Who Built the Best Lineup?
It's time for the ultimate State Fair Food Draft! Neil, Nick and Matt each get three picks to build the best possible State Fair food lineup. From classic fair favorites to questionable deep-fried creations, who came away with the strongest team? The rules are simple: three picks each, no duplicates and plenty of debate. Who won the draft? And more importantly... what State Fair food should have been picked?
1
Aug. 26, 2026
Can Golden Tempo Keep Dominating? Travers Stakes Preview + State Fair Food Draft
The boys kick off Season 2 by breaking down the Travers Stakes horse-by-horse. Can Golden Tempo continue his dominance of the 3-year-old circuit, or is another horse ready to take down the favorite? Then we dive into some of the biggest stories in sports: Travers Stakes Preview — Horse-by-horse breakdown and Golden Tempo's chances PGA Tour Championship — The PGA Tour is moving to a 32-player, World Cup-style format in 2028. Is it a good move? Little League World Series — Kinley Rasmus is mak
Aug. 17, 2026
Height Differential: The Best of Season 1 | Sports Takes, Debates & Chaos
Relive the best of Season 1 of Height Differential with 90 minutes of our biggest sports debates, ridiculous drafts, bold predictions and the moments that had us completely wrong. We covered a little bit of everything, including: 🏇 Golden Tempo proving us wrong at the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes 🏈 Indiana winning the national championship 🐅 The Bengals missing the playoffs again 🦃 Our Thanksgiving Draft 🎄 Our Christmas Movie Draft 🍗 Our Messiest Foods Draft …and plenty more sports
54
Aug. 5, 2026
Whitney Stakes Preview, Renegade Wins the Jim Dandy & Tarik Skubal Joins the Dodgers
This week, Neil and Nick break down everything from Saratoga and Major League Baseball, including: 🏇 Renegade storms home late to win the Jim Dandy Stakes and returns to the winner's circle. 🏇 Our full preview and predictions for the prestigious Whitney Stakes. 🏇 We discuss the brand-new six-race Thoroughbred Championship Series and what it could mean for horse racing. ⚾ Tarik Skubal is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Is it good for baseball that the Dodgerse are always making mov
53
July 30, 2026
LeBron Joins the 76ers?! | Jackson Koivun Wins 3M Open | Jim Dandy Stakes Horse-by-Horse Preview
LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers, and Nick and Neil break down what the blockbuster move means for the NBA and the race for the 2027 championship. We also discuss Jackson Koivun's incredible victory at the 3M Open, where the former Auburn standout captured a PGA Tour title in just his third professional start. Is golf's next superstar here? Finally, we preview one of the biggest horse races of the summer with a horse-by-horse breakdown of the Jim Dandy Stakes, analyzing ev
Recent Blog Posts
May 1, 2026
Kentucky Derby 152 Draft: Breaking Down Our Picks
With the 152nd Kentucky Derby approaching, we held our own Derby draft — selecting horses one by one to build the strongest lineup possible. Here’s how the draft unfolded: Full Draft Order Commandment (Matt) Puma (Neil) Further Ado (Nick) Re…
Feb. 3, 2026
Top 10 Super Bowls of All-Time
Every Super Bowl brings spectacle, but only a handful deliver moments that live forever. Whether it was a dynasty being born, a perfect season ending or a single play deciding everything, these games transcended football and became part of sports hi…
Jan. 29, 2026
Worst Super Bowl QB Matchups Ever?
With Drake Maye facing Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl, we draft and debate the worst quarterback matchups in Super Bowl history since 1990. From game managers to mistake-prone performances, we break down which QB duels made fans question how they eve…
About the Hosts
Nick - 4'10"
Nick has spent his entire career in sports, working at both the professional and collegiate levels. Along the way, he’s worked directly with high-profile athletes including Todd Frazier, Aroldis Chapman, Joey Votto, Xavier Moon, Asia Durr, Dana Evans and Hailey Van Lith, giving him a behind-the-scenes perspective that shapes how he views the games fans see every day.
No stranger to the microphone, Nick previously co-hosted The Sunday Morning Hangover on ESPN Louisville and had been itching to get back in the booth ever since.
A lifelong Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Bulls fan, Nick also loves golf and can usually be found on a course when he’s not watching or debating sports. Growing up, he idolized Muggsy Bogues — proof that height has never been a limiting factor in how he sees the sports world.
No stranger to the microphone, Nick previously co-hosted The Sunday Morning Hangover on ESPN Louisville and had been itching to get back in the booth ever since.
A lifelong Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Bulls fan, Nick also loves golf and can usually be found on a course when he’s not watching or debating sports. Growing up, he idolized Muggsy Bogues — proof that height has never been a limiting factor in how he sees the sports world.
Neil - 6'6"
Neil has spent his entire career working in sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. Known as everyone’s best friend in the industry, Neil is the ticket guy — the one everyone texts when there’s a big game, a sold-out event, or a last-minute “any chance you can help?” situation.
Off the clock, Neil is married and a proud dad to twin girls, a role that has tested his patience almost as much as being a Cincinnati Bengals fan. He’s a lifelong supporter of the Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and Louisville Cardinals, and grew up idolizing Ken Griffey Jr. — even though he famously failed to recognize him the one time he passed him in an airport.
Whether it’s sports takes, ticket connections, or keeping Nick grounded from six and a half feet above, Neil brings the perspective, relationships, and humor that make The Height Differential what it is.
Off the clock, Neil is married and a proud dad to twin girls, a role that has tested his patience almost as much as being a Cincinnati Bengals fan. He’s a lifelong supporter of the Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and Louisville Cardinals, and grew up idolizing Ken Griffey Jr. — even though he famously failed to recognize him the one time he passed him in an airport.
Whether it’s sports takes, ticket connections, or keeping Nick grounded from six and a half feet above, Neil brings the perspective, relationships, and humor that make The Height Differential what it is.