Bussin' With The Boys: Josh Pate Picks College Football Playoff Semifinal Games

Date: Jan 6, 2026
Hosts: Will Compton, Taylor Lewan
Guest: Josh Pate

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This episode dives headfirst into the 2026 College Football Playoff semifinals, with in-depth breakdowns by host NFL alums Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, alongside college football analyst Josh Pate. The trio brings their signature banter and insight, previewing Miami vs. Ole Miss and Oregon vs. Indiana, discussing the fallout from key bowl games, roster changes, portal drama, and the coaching narratives shaping the playoff. The conversation moves seamlessly between X’s and O’s, recruiting news, personal fandom, and college football culture, mixing analysis and entertainment for fans and football junkies alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Semifinal Playoff Picture & Stakes

• Two semifinal games remain: Miami vs. Ole Miss and Oregon vs. Indiana.
• The show’s running pick’em contest now comes down between Taylor and Josh, with Will mathematically eliminated.

"We got two games left. Miami versus Ole Miss. Who would have thunk it? Oregon versus Indiana. A rematch that took place in the Big Ten earlier this year."
— Josh Pate [00:00]

2. Reflections on Recent Pick Fails & Emotional Ties

• Will reviews his disastrous 1–3 picks last week, especially misfiring on Alabama, leading to semi-playful roasting.
• Taylor admits to overrating Alabama out of preseason bias and family loyalty.
• Banter about team letdowns, bias, and how social media receipts linger:

"This is the only time you've laid your neck out on the line only to be placed in a guillotine and to be fucking chopped off."
— Will Compton [04:45]

"I was blinded by wanting to be right in the preseason... Maybe there was a part of me way back that just still needed to see Indiana win as a big favorite in one of these games. Like, the long resting, everyone else with a bye is losing. They won."
— Taylor [07:39]

3. Transfer Portal, Coaching Rumors & Nebraska’s QB Saga

• The group delves into the chaos of the transfer portal, rumors about Alabama’s quarterback future, and especially the Nebraska situation:
  • Will recounts losing Kenny Minchie (ND backup QB) who was supposedly headed to Nebraska but flipped to Kentucky at the last minute.
  • The "no contact" portal drama, agent-driven negotiations, and how schools are blindsided.
  • New timeline reality: Portal closes after spring, teams must fill rosters ASAP.
  • Side discussion about available QBs and Nebraska’s options going forward.

"Over the weekend, Kenny Minchie, we land Kenny Minchie in the portal. He's coming to Nebraska. Big announcement... Maybe Nacos, I know on3 posts about it, but it's public knowledge now that Kenny Minchie is coming... Welcoming Kenny Minchie to the Big Red. Even tried Kenny Minchie a text. You're gonna look great in red. No response. Now, looking back, that should have been a red flag."
— Will Compton [16:45]

"You're watching Titanic right now? Yeah, it just hit the iceberg, but everyone thinks it’s okay…"
— Taylor [19:17]

4. Fiesta Bowl: Miami vs. Ole Miss Breakdown

Miami’s Edge: Physicality & Defense

• Panel largely agrees Miami is the most physical remaining team, especially in trenches.
• Miami’s defense can pressure QB, disguise coverages, and the back seven “will knock your dick in the dirt.”
• Miami’s running game strong vs. tough defenses.

"I think Miami is the most physical football team left in the final four... That front four, the way they can apply pressure while keeping the back seven playing coverage... The back seven will knock your dick in the dirt, bro."
— Will Compton [30:39]

Ole Miss’ Offense & Lane Kiffin Factor

• Ole Miss's high-scoring, big-play offense poses a serious threat.
• Lane Kiffin’s “us against the world” story is a major subplot.

"This is an offense that hadn't scored less than 30 all season long. The quarterback dual threat cat can beat you. The most dangerous—Josh Pate has said it—the most dangerous quarterback in the College Football Playoff."
— Will Compton [31:20]

Strategic Matchups & Key Scenarios

• Possible trap: If Miami grinds clock with its superior lines, it could backfire in fourth quarter if Ole Miss gets explosive plays.
• Both Taylor and Josh pick Miami to win and cover but expect a potentially high-scoring, wild finish.

"If Miami starts good and then they try and grind the pace to a halt... your strategy has worked against you because you've run the ball, you've grinded clock, you've compressed the game. Then it's the fourth quarter, and Ole Miss is number four in the country in explosive plays... and you look up, you were dominating, outgaining them, and it's tied."
— Taylor [36:40]

"Miami has a massive edge on both lines... But if Ole Miss can turn this into the type of game they want, use tempo, wear out Miami’s D-line—I like Ole Miss to cover."
— Josh Pate [37:56]

• Notable Picks:
  • Taylor: Over 51.5 points; heart says Miami -3.5.
  • Josh: Miami to win and cover, but sees a path for Ole Miss with pace and explosives.
  • Will: Miami’s defense and physicality will be decisive.

5. Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Indiana Preview & Pundit Angst

Coaching, X’s and O’s, and Culture Clash

• Indiana favored by 3.5 over Oregon.
• Extensive discussion about Dan Lanning (Oregon) vs. Kurt Signetti (Indiana) as coaches:
  • Lanning’s risk-taking, often-criticized 4th-down aggressiveness.
  • Staff distractions with Oregon coordinators leaving; Indiana seen as more focused and cohesive.
  • Indiana praised as “the best-coached team in college football right now.”
  • Lanning compared to James Franklin: perception of not winning 'the big one'.

"This is the Peach Bowl. Mercedes Benz Stadium, #5 Oregon vs. #1 Indiana. Indiana's favored by 3.5. No one wants to go first?"
— Josh Pate [47:34]

"The best thing Indiana does is they force you off of who you are... you have to either be as good as them and execute, or just be more talented and execute at a high level. I just hadn't seen anyone do it this year."
— Taylor [49:59]

• Major challenges for Oregon:
  • Have to be elite on 3rd/4th down (struggled vs Texas Tech and Indiana in prior games).
  • Less run-game effectiveness against Indiana; game falls on Oregon QB Dante Moore.
  • Indiana unlikely to give up turnovers like Texas Tech did.

"They (Oregon) were horrible on third down last time. I think Dante Moore got sacked six times in the first matchup... Indiana’s not going to give you four turnovers. You're going to have to go the length of the field."
— Josh Pate [53:13]

Clean Indiana Sweep

• All three pick Indiana to win and cover, despite affection for Oregon and Lanning.
• Anxiety over “all in on Indiana” possibly jinxing them; hope that collective doubt helps Oregon.

"You guys laid out scenarios where the game could be played like four different ways. Every outcome screams Indiana... The name Big Nettie, texting me, other than he knows I'm his daddy. That was it."
— Will Compton [56:43]

"If Dan loses this game... we will now be living in a world where kids will give up some money to go to Indiana to be coached by Kurt Sig."
— Josh Pate [59:39]

"It's going to hurt. Listen, it's going to hurt, but you can't not recognize what this Indiana team has done. Most balanced football team... they are that squad."
— Will Compton [62:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Portal Fiasco (Kenny Minchie to Kentucky):

  • "That agent fucked Nebraska." — Will Compton [21:31]
  • "You're watching Titanic right now? Yeah, it just hit the iceberg, but everyone thinks it's okay and they're going back to sleep..." — Taylor [19:17]

• On Family Influence and Homer Picks:

  • "Judgment was blinded by bias. I was blinded by wanting to be right in the preseason." — Taylor [07:39]

• On Miami’s Transformation Under Cristobal:

  • "I'm so tired of these people asking me when The U's going to be back... I'm not focused on bringing the U back. I'm focused on building what the U is going to be." — Taylor, quoting Mario Cristobal [43:00]

• On Indiana’s Boring Excellence:

  • "They are elite in all of the boring things in football." — Josh Pate [62:24]

• On Coaching/Media Dynamics:

  • "If Dan Lanning needs disrespect, if he needs a face to look at in the mirror other than his own, he can look at mine. Because I may not be doubting him. I'm just believing in the other guy more." — Taylor [52:19]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:14] - Taylor: "I've never walked in the room with more to talk about than today." — Setting up big semifinal stakes.
• [16:45] - Will’s detailed breakdown of the Nebraska/Kenny Minchie portal saga.
• [29:18] - Josh Pate transitions into Miami vs. Ole Miss gameday break down.
• [36:40] - Taylor’s “trapdoor theory” on Miami’s potential game-management backfiring.
• [47:34] - Josh Pate opens the Oregon vs. Indiana (“True Classic Game of the Week”) preview.
• [53:13] - Group consensus solidifies around Indiana.
• [62:00] - Will sums up why it “hurts” to pick Indiana, but they’re “that squad.”

Recap of Panel Picks

| Game | Will Compton | Taylor Lewan | Josh Pate | |---------------------|---------------------|------------------------|-------------------| | Miami vs. Ole Miss | Miami (-3.5) | Miami; Over 51.5 pts | Miami (-3.5) | | Oregon vs. Indiana | Indiana (-3.5) | Indiana (-3.5) | Indiana (-3.5) |

Closing Thoughts

All three hosts bring a fan’s heart, a player’s mindset, and an analyst’s brain to the Playoff semifinals. While they respect and root for friends in the coaching ranks, their faith lies with the more physical, cohesive, and process-oriented squads in Miami and especially Indiana. Their picks reflect both film study and the vibes around the programs, plus the wildcards thrown by portal drama and coaching legacy narratives. Whether you’re seeking scouting analysis or just enjoy the storylines that make college football great, this episode delivers sharp, honest commentary—delivered with trademark “Bussin’” humor and candor.