Podcast Summary: Bussin’ With The Boys – “Josh Pate Picks Nebraska To Upset USC w/ Will Compton + Taylor Lewan Rides w/ Vanderbilt Over Texas”

Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Will Compton, Taylor Lewan (with guest Josh Pate and Mike Myers)
Theme: College football week preview, bold picks, rivalry banter, and deep dives into marquee CFB matchups

Episode Overview

This episode of “Bussin’ With The Boys” is an energetic, banter-filled ride through the week’s college football slate. Will Compton, Taylor Lewan, and guest analyst Josh Pate (with Mike Myers lurking) dive deep into pivotal games, including Nebraska vs. USC and Vanderbilt vs. Texas, serving up sharp analysis, humorous banter, and bold predictions. The boys debate upset possibilities, playoff chaos, coaching rumors, and the emotional rollercoaster of being a die-hard fan.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. Handling Criticism, Evolving Football Opinions

(03:13–06:53)

• Josh Pate is commended on his approach to dealing with criticism, especially on message boards. He embraces the chaos by “putting on the clown nose,” using public perception as a way to reset his own narrative.
• Taylor Lewan admits he once called Notre Dame “a Prius in the Daytona 500” but has reconsidered after watching their recent performances.
• Quote:

  “It’s like bankruptcy. It’s life’s great reset. You put the clown nose on, it’s like social bankruptcy. It’s a get out of jail free call.” – Taylor Lewan (17:59)

2. Cincinnati vs. Utah – Sneaky Game of the Week

(08:31–17:18)

• Cincinnati (+8.5) at Utah: The boys argue Cincinnati is undervalued. Brendan Sorsby (Cincy QB) gets love for his turnover-free streak since Week 1.
• Pate: “This is trick or treat. If you want a king size candy bar, it’s Cincinnati plus eight and a half.” (09:38)
• Taylor Lewan brings in the “model,” saying it oddly favors Utah as the Big 12’s best team, despite injuries and recent stumbles.
• Mike Myers and Taylor ultimately side with Utah to cover, but all acknowledge the ‘spooky’ late-night, high-altitude scenario.
• Running Joke: Weather analysis, timezone confusion, “cocktober” is over; it’s now “cockvember.”

  “Halloween at altitude. 10:15 local time, kickoff. I’d be scared.” – Taylor Lewan (17:14)

3. Florida vs. Georgia – Coaching Carousel & SEC Chaos

(22:08–30:54)

• Georgia (-7.5) at Florida: Panel sees this as a potential statement game for Georgia after Napier’s firing at Florida. Taylor and Mike see Georgia ramping up for a playoff-run and believe distractions doom the Gators.
• Taylor calls Jacksonville (game location) “evil”:

  “Last time I went to the game, I got food poisoning. Not alcohol poisoning; food poisoning. Place is evil as far as I’m concerned.” (23:32)

• Playoff Chaos:
  Josh envisions the possibility of multiple ACC teams “stealing” playoff spots while the SEC and Big Ten cannibalize themselves.

  “The ACC could be the chaos maker, not the SEC or the Big Ten.” – Josh Pate (29:59)

4. Oklahoma at Tennessee – Blackout in Neyland & Venables’ Job Security

(34:24–44:28)

• Tennessee (-3.5) vs Oklahoma:
  All hosts back Tennessee, citing John Mateer’s injury for OU, Tennessee's offensive firepower, and Neyland’s blackout night energy.
• Quote:

  “If it flies, floats, or plays defense on Tennessee, you lease it. You don’t buy it.” – Josh Pate (36:06)

• Path to Victory: Taylor details Oklahoma’s only shot is exploiting Tennessee’s missed tackles, but the consensus is Tennessee wins.
• Coaching Carousel: Brent Venables’ future at Oklahoma is briefly discussed, with Taylor insisting it’s not time to “pull the plug.”
• Historical callback:

  “Maybe the loudest the place has ever been... is when Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma came into Knoxville... Then he goes to Nealon and they come back from the dead.” – Taylor Luan (39:59)

5. Vanderbilt at Texas – Perception Flipped, Emotional Ties, and The Backup QB Theory

(47:55–59:36)

• Texas (-2.5) vs Vanderbilt:
  Line has swung massively since summer from Texas –21.5 to Vandy –1 on a neutral slate.
• Backup QB Theory (Pate):

  “I’ve always believed it does something to you to galvanize you when your guy goes down... oftentimes in college you find a team over-performs with the backup in.” (48:38)

• Taylor’s Emotional Connection:
  Having studied film with Vandy players, Taylor now roots heavily for Vandy, while both Pate and Myers remain skeptical, expecting Texas to scrape out a win.
• “Crowbar Theory”: If Texas doesn’t get off to a hot start, the emotional optimism can vanish instantly.

6. Nebraska vs. USC – The Main Event: Pate, Compton, and the All-In Upset Pick

(60:38–74:37)

• USC (-6.5) at Nebraska:
  This is the emotional high point: Will Compton leads a rallying call for the Huskers.
• Pate breaks down USC’s repeated struggles as a Big Ten import when playing games on the road in cold conditions, noting their away losses to Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, and Notre Dame.
• Compton’s Speech:

  “We’re going to clip their wings in a very hostile environment. Look at me, Husker Nation. We need everybody get sauced up, get as absolutely rowdy and as toxic as possible...” (65:51)

• All three ultimately pick Nebraska to cover and even take the Moneyline, noting that “this is the step” for the program.
• Running Strategy: Feed Emmett Johnson (RB) 20+ times, control clock, and lean into ground-and-pound football.
• Quote:

  “What do emus, ostriches and USC Trojans have in common? … They can’t fly and they can’t thrive in cold weather.” – Josh Pate (65:48)

7. Dog of the Week & Parlays

(75:12–79:43)

• The group debates weekly underdogs and parlays. Notables:
  • Mike Myers: Cal +4.5 vs Virginia (“coast to coast” play)
  • Josh Pate: Maryland +21.5 vs Indiana, and a Cincy + Nebraska dog parlay (“Arrowhead Special”)
  • Taylor Luan: Mississippi State +4.5 at Arkansas
• The boys wrap up by poking fun at each other’s “model logic,” picks, and ongoing inside bets.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On embracing internet heat:

  “You see the field differently. And that’s what I respect about you… bring on the allegations again.” – Josh Pate (03:21)

• On old internet takes:

  “Whomst amongst us hasn’t gone a little sideways on a message board?” – Taylor Lewan (04:22)

• On Nebraska’s upset bid:

  “Fellas, this is a moment for Nebraska football… We are officially in the playoffs right now.” – Will Compton (65:48–69:19)

• On the Tennessee-OU atmosphere:

  “Dark mode, this is where this place is going to be rocking. Neyland’s going to be rocking…” – Josh Pate (36:06)

• On Taylor’s emotional Vanderbilt pick:

  “I love those boys. I’m emotionally tied. I went from hating on them… now I want them to be successful.” – Mike Myers (57:34)

• On playoff chaos:

  “[The ACC] could be the chaos maker, not the SEC or the Big Ten.” – Josh Pate (29:59)

Major Segments and Timestamps

• Handling internet takes, clown nose talk – 03:13–06:53
• Cincinnati–Utah debate + Halloween lines – 08:31–17:18
• Florida–Georgia picks + SEC/ACC playoff chaos – 22:08–30:54
• Oklahoma–Tennessee, Neyland blackout, QB talk – 34:24–44:28
• Vanderbilt–Texas, Taylor’s emotional film room pick – 47:55–59:36
• Nebraska–USC, Pate's Big 10/USC cold struggle history, Compton’s pep talk – 60:38–74:37
• Dog of the Week/parlays & closing banter – 75:12–79:43

Conclusion

This week's episode of "Bussin’ With The Boys" balanced deep college football analysis with locker room camaraderie. Bold upset calls and “emotional tie” picks mix with grounded X’s and O’s breakdowns and signature podcast banter. The stakes for Nebraska–USC are pushed as existential for the Huskers, while the panel is split on whether Vandy’s dream season has another chapter in Austin. Chaos, especially in the playoff picture, is forecasted—making the episode a must-listen for gridiron fans.