Chicago Bears are the #1 Seed in the NFC

Summary

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – “Chicago Bears are the #1 Seed in the NFC”

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host(s): Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 1, 2025
Episode Theme: Chicago Bears claim the #1 seed in the NFC—a candid, comprehensive breakdown of how they’ve arrived at this moment, what it means, and what comes next for the team, plus a spirited dive into NFL, college football, and Chicago sports headlines.

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Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and longtime producer Matt Abbatacola celebrate the Chicago Bears’ stunning rise to the top of the NFC, dissecting the defining moments, strategic innovations, and locker-room culture changes that got them there. Expect the signature “Unfiltered” debate—deep dives into game strategy, offensive line dominance, coaching quirks, and what might stand between the Bears and a Super Bowl run. Beyond the Bears, the duo tackle coaching carousel drama in college football, the spiraling Chicago Bulls, and more, with signature humor and honesty.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chicago Bears: NFC #1 Seed—How Did We Get Here?

• Reaction to Bears’ Record:
  • Chicago at 9-3, leading the NFC. Season has exceeded expectations—Bears already surpassed Vegas win total (originally 8.5).
  • “The Chicago Bears are nine and three. They're leading the entire NFC. The number one seed, bro, right now.” (Dan, 01:28)
• Defining Win Against Philadelphia:
  • Statement win over the Eagles seen as the signature moment of the Ben Johnson era.
  • “Now they got a chance to make this matter. The conclusion to draw from watching a lot of football this weekend is, why not now? Why not?” (Dan, 03:37)
• Playoff Outlook & No Fear Mentality:
  • Matt and Dan agree: no NFC rival looks unbeatable.
  • “There isn't a team out there that the Bears going into a game now, I wouldn't look at and say yeah, there's no reason why the Bears can't beat that team.” (Matt, 04:54)
• Importance of Seizing the Moment:
  • Reminder that success windows can close quickly in the NFL.
  • “Take advantage of this year. There isn’t a team out there that the Bears can’t beat.” (Matt, 05:45)

2. Coaching & Game Planning: Ben Johnson’s Impact

• Creative Offense, Passing vs. Running Balance:
  • Discussion on Johnson’s pass-heavy tendencies: recently called 18 straight passes in a game—even he didn’t realize in the moment.
  • “It’s now, I think two weeks in a row, where he had 18 passes in a row. Didn’t even realize he was doing that… I threw too much, didn’t run as much as we needed to.” (Matt, 06:44)
• Self-scouting and Balance:
  • Wondering if Johnson will implement on-the-fly checks to avoid getting too pass-happy.
  • “He’s called it out now twice in the last couple of weeks… Not that it’s going to impact the season to make it better—they’re 9 and 3!—but he’s called it out.” (Matt, 08:11)
• Strategic Flexibility:
  • No “sexiness points”—the team can run if that’s what wins.
  • “If you can and if you want to be a high school team demolishing other high school teams, that's a perfectly acceptable way to win games. It doesn't matter.” (Dan, 08:27)
• Elite Offensive Line Play:
  • Shout-outs to GM Ryan Poles for building the interior line (Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson).
  • “If you want to really say, why are they so successful? That’s why.” (Dan, 09:58)
  • Calls for nicknaming this line: “They’re starting to get to the point where maybe they deserve a little bit of attention… especially the guard, center, guard guys.” (Dan, 10:28)

3. Signature Defensive Play – Nishan Wright and the Tush Push Takeaway

• Game Ball Drama:
  • Dan awarded Wright a game ball postgame before coaches did—long overdue.
  • “I've been on this for three weeks, four weeks, whatever it's been with Nishan Wright… what does he have to do to get a game ball?” (Dan, 15:47)
• Locker Room Audio & Bears’ Culture:
  • Ben Johnson corrects omission, gathers team for celebration—”We took a short week. You took no shortcuts. You played your best ball for 60 minutes. Well done.” (Coach audio, 20:31)
  • Focus on offensive line’s role: “It does not get done without this offensive line. It's time to put it on our back.” (Shawnee, 21:28)
• Wiener Circle & Team Rituals:
  • Team celebration includes hot dogs and Ben Johnson famously taking his shirt off.

4. NFL & NFC Playoff Picture: Surprises and Teams to Watch

• Division Leaders & Wild Card Race:
  • AFC leaders: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Ravens. NFC top teams: Bears, Rams, Eagles, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Packers, 49ers.
  • “Just, it’s wild.” (Matt, 13:31)
• No Dominant NFC Force:
  • “Any one of those teams could beat the Bears. On any given Sunday, the Bears could beat all of those teams, too.” (Matt, 05:03)
• Potential Rams Worry:
  • Dan keeps an eye on the Rams: “I’m a little worried the Rams got tagged at just the right time.” (Dan, 13:52)

5. The State of the Chicago Bulls

• Bulls’ Struggles:
  • Despite a hot start, opponents have figured out physical, attacking strategies that expose the Bulls’ weaknesses.
  • “They are getting destroyed. Now that film is out on what they try to do… You’re a bunch of physical cowards. Okay, great. That’s just how we’ll attack you then.” (Dan, 53:17)
• Need to Toughen Up:
  • “They must become more physical… Beat them up physically. You can climb all over their backs. You can knock them off the dribble.” (Dan, 52:54)

6. College Football: Coaching Drama & Ethics

• Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald Hire:
  • Scathing critique on Michigan State even considering Pat Fitzgerald after Northwestern’s hazing/sexual abuse scandal.
  • “If you’re Michigan State… you spent years and millions of dollars [overcoming] the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal… now you’re going to hire [Fitzgerald]? Really?” (Dan, 37:36)
  • “His whole bit was culture. And the irony is that he had a toxic criminal culture that he developed and cultivated.” (Matt, 41:07)
• Lane Kiffin to LSU, Coaches Leaving Early:
  • Critical of coaches taking new jobs before the season ends (e.g., Lane Kiffin’s emotional exit for LSU).
  • “I don't like this aspect of college football… your season’s still happening. I just don’t think it’s right.” (Matt, 48:08)
  • “Just say you like the money… Say it’s a bigger, better job…” (Dan, 47:21)

7. Locker Room Laughter & Notable Moments

• Andrew Billings—Can He Run a 5-Second 40-Yard Dash?
  • Playful banter about big man Andrew Billings’ speed—listeners encouraged to bet on whether he could break 5.0 seconds.
  • “That play where he was chasing Hurts. I may have rewound it immediately two or three times just to watch again.” (Matt, 28:07)
• Personal Tangents:
  • A light-hearted segment on Dan’s “loud flossing” at home, married life quirks, and the hunt for a new nickname for the interior offensive line.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bears Being For Real:
  • “Why not now? Now that they've aced the Philly test. They aced it.” (Dan Bernstein, 03:37)
• Matt on the Playoff Field:
  • “There isn’t a team out there that the Bears can’t beat.” (Matt Abbatacola, 05:45)
• On Ben Johnson’s Playcalling:
  • “It’s now… two of the last three [games] where he had 18 passes in a row. Didn’t even realize he was doing that.” (Matt, 06:44)
• Dan on the Offensive Line:
  • “Ryan Poles said, okay, Joe Thuney, Drew Dahlman and Jonah Jackson right now find me a better guard, center, guard combo in the league.” (Dan, 09:15)
• Celebrating Nishan Wright’s Takeaway:
  • “The play that made the Eagles famous, the play that made Jason Kelsey famous, the tush push—[Wright] simply take[s] the football… It was a magnificent play by Wright.” (Dan, 17:10)
• On Pat Fitzgerald Hire:
  • “His whole thing was culture… and the irony of it was that he had a toxic criminal culture that he developed and cultivated.” (Matt, 41:07)
• Matt on College Coaches’ Moves:
  • “I don’t like this aspect of college football… guys shouldn’t be interviewing, taking jobs, leaving jobs while the job's still happening.” (Matt, 48:08)
• On the Bulls Weakness:
  • “You’re a bunch of physical cowards. Okay, great. That’s just how we’ll attack you then.” (Dan, 53:17)

Fun/Light-hearted Bits

• Andrew Billings’ 40 Time Wager:
  • “I love Andrew Billings. I'm going to take Andrew Billings under 5 [seconds] in the 40.” (Matt, 29:47)
  • “Not a chance. He can… there is no way that that man can run any 40 that starts with a 4.” (Dan, 29:53)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bears are #1 Seed, Reaction & Playoff Outlook: 01:28 — 05:45
• Coaching, Playcalling, Offense/Run Game: 05:45 — 13:31
• Offensive Line Dominance, Nickname Talk: 09:15 — 15:00
• Nishan Wright’s Game-Changing Play & Locker Room Celebration: 15:47 — 23:27
• NFL/NFC Playoff Picture: 13:31 — 15:00
• State of Bulls, Need for Toughness: 52:54 — 54:52
• Pat Fitzgerald / Michigan State Rant: 37:17 — 43:42
• Lane Kiffin, College Coaching Carousels: 44:07 — 49:55
• Andrew Billings' Speed Debate/Banter: 27:02 — 30:01
• Show Wrap/Listener Thank Yous & Social Media Growth: 54:56 — 58:41

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Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for Chicago sports diehards and football obsessives alike. Bernstein and Abbatacola deliver candid, insightful analysis of the Bears' arrival as NFC front-runners, deeply crediting coaching, offensive line strategy, and team culture—while keeping the discussion lively with jokes, wagers, and authentic Chicago context. The episode is equal parts tactical football breakdown, local sports therapy session, and irreverent sports radio reunion.

Perfect For:

• Bears fans who want to understand why this season feels different
• NFL junkies interested in X's and O's
• Listeners who crave unfiltered, local sports talk with heart and humor

Skip to:

• [15:47] for the best locker room audio of the week
• [29:47] for playful debate over lineman sprint times
• [37:17] for the sharpest criticism of college football hiring practices around

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Transcript

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[Matt Abaticola]

On 312 Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Bernstein Unfiltered is brought to you in partnership with my bookie. I'm Dan Bernstein. That's Matt Abaticola.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's how you do it.

[Dan Bernstein]

You should. Thanks. Better.

[Matt Abaticola]

Good job.

[Dan Bernstein]

Thank you. The Chicago Bears are nine and three. They're leading the entire nfc. The number one seed, bro, right now.

[Matt Abaticola]

Let's go.

[Dan Bernstein]

What a weekend. What an unbelievable weekend. Going from what happened on Friday and all that excitement in the game at the end of the game and after the game to just kind of letting everything else fall around them to where they are now, which is sitting on top of the NFC with five games to go. It's pretty incredible. And they've already topped their Vegas wins over under, which was 8.5. And to that it's a rarity. It doesn't happen all that often for a Chicago Bears team to go over its set win total. And that doesn't mean anything right now because now the expectations are ratcheted higher. I want to go higher. And now here they are with the world in front of them. So I think this is a moment to kind of take stock before we get into everything else about the packers and the Bears being at the moment, what a five and a half point underdog going into this primordial rivalry game that whatever happens here, this is a moment. And we knew it after the game. Hell, we knew it when Nishan Wright took the ball away. That was the defining moment of the season. And if this is a defining win of the season and of The Ben Johnson era, the announcement that the. All of this has arrived earlier than we thought. Now they got a chance to pay it off. Now they got a chance to make this matter. And I think the conclusion to draw from watching a lot of football this weekend is, why not now? Why not? Is there any team out there that you say right now, oh, boy, Bears. See, for me, now that they've aced the Philly test. They aced it. They did. They went in there and stomped on him. So there you have that. They absolutely played that portion of whatever you want to say. If this is a poker hand, if that's the turn. And now you can see what we're dealing with here before the river, who's falling away and who's still in. Who's playing for real at this table? The Bears are there. And it doesn't matter what you think of them, doesn't matter what I think, no matter what you think, whatever this year is, whatever they are, here they are. And, boy, here is Ben Johnson. He picked his spot, did his thing, and it's selling, and his players are buying. So let him. Let him rock and roll. If he wants to take his shirt off, wants to take his pants off, whatever's working, let it keep working.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I liked hearing Caleb Williams after the game on Friday talk about taking advantage of this year, where they're at. And that's what I've been saying for a few weeks now. Why not the Bears? Because, Dan, when you ask the question, is there a team that is out there right now that scares you or you think the Bears can't beat? There isn't.

[Dan Bernstein]

No.

[Matt Abaticola]

And you look at all the playoff possibilities with the. With the NFC right now. Bears, Rams, Eagles, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Packers, 49ers, those are the top seven. Lions, Cowboys, Panthers, Falcons, Vikings. Commanders, those are what's next. Any one of those teams could beat the Bears. On any given Sunday, the Bears could beat all of those teams, too. That's just what this season has been. Take advantage of it. You're nine and three. Sure you've surpassed expectations. You've come up a year sooner, whatever it might be. My mindset is it's not a process that has to build one on top of the other because there's no guarantee. The Commanders were 12 and 5 last year. Right now, they're the 4. They're in the 14th position for the NFC playoff picture. Take advantage of this year. There isn't a team out there that the Bears going into a game now, I wouldn't look at and say yeah, there's no reason why the Bears can't beat that team.

[Dan Bernstein]

Doesn't mean we can't be writing down all kinds of questions that we. To which we still want resolution. Because especially looking at that game, if I were game planning against the Bears, I would load the box and tell Caleb Williams, son, you're going to beat me, that I'll tip my cap to you. We are going to make it very, very difficult for you to establish the run, whatever you're doing, whether it is outside zone, whether it is duo, whether it is sealing one side and cutting everything to the back and showing all the eye candy to the linebackers and safeties, that's great. But there's just going to be too many people there and you're going to have to matriculate that ball down the field in the passing game and. Or take the top off whatever we're doing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Especially in a game where it was very difficult to throw the ball. I mean, they talked about the wind gusts going from very calm to nothing to really significant gusts that were impacting the trajectory of the throw.

[Dan Bernstein]

And he hit the big throw. Presented with all that stuff, with all those variables, he hit the dagger throw.

[Matt Abaticola]

But yeah, he did. And I still think he had his lowest completion percentage of the season. So it was a tough day to throw the ball, but he was able to make enough throws when it was needed. Still left a few out there, even as Ben Johnson said that, not me. Ben Johnson saying, there's a few things out there that, that they left on the field in the passing game. It was interesting hearing Ben talk about he called too many plays, passing plays, he said. He said after the game. And it's Now, I think two weeks in a row or two of the last three where he had 18 passes in a row. Didn't even realize he was doing that. And now he goes in after this game and says, I threw too much, didn't run as much as we needed to. I wonder if he's going to put like a regulation in place for himself. Just, I mean, not, not a, not like a coach telling him or dictating what he needs to do, but just. Is there going to be a regulation point where it says if coach, we've. We've thrown 10 times in a row.

[Dan Bernstein]

Or remind me if you think I'm getting.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, that's what I'm wondering. Nothing to say that you're not in charge. You don't call the plays. You call whatever you want. But I wonder if he'll like the way his brain works. If he's going to put some kind of regulation in spot for himself to say, hey, you know, we've gone eight in a row this way or we haven't done this in a bit. We've gotten, you know, X amount of yards per play on this kind of.

[Dan Bernstein]

Run or whatnot or after a given number of plays at certain thresholds. Just had a balance check.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And say, hey, we're right now we're at 13 and 2.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

You know, past a run.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Where are we on past run right now?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Lane Kiffin]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

I just wonder if he. Yeah. Not, not that he needs to or that it's not like that it's going to impact the season to make it better. They're 9 and 3, but he's called it out now twice in the last couple of.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can run the ball. Run it. There's. I have no problem with that.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nobody cares if you win a Super bowl without throwing the ball all over the place. If you, if you can and if you want to be a high school team demolishing other high school teams, that that's a perfectly acceptable way to win games. It doesn't matter. And if it's a box count, if it's Caleb's decision, it, like some of this may not be up to Ben. If you've got can can do a run and that's up to you. And if you make your count and say we are more likely to fall forward for 5 yards here. Go ahead. Yeah, go ahead. It's. They don't give you sexiness points for the parade. Nobody cares when there's confetti sticking in your hair, how you got there. So they're. They're figuring that out. And they're also figuring out how they can lean on a spectacular offensive line. And I just want to credit Ryan Poles for the rare situation where going and just spending money in free agency worked. He spent a ton of money at guard, center, guard. And if I was going to be the guy and if you've known me from wherever I've been working clamoring about the center. Clamoring. Centers matter. Interior line, interior line, interior line. Ryan Poles said, okay, Joe Tuney, Drew Dahlman and Jonah Jackson right now find me a better guard, center guard combo in the league.

[Matt Abaticola]

You're not going to.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I'm sure there could be reasonable arguments. Find me at the moment if you want to really say, why are they so successful? That's why I'm not taking anything away from Kyle Menungai and DeAndre Swift. But the last time the Bears had an offensive line with a nickname. The 85 championship team, the Black and Blues Brothers. Yep. This line.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, there have been other nicknames.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. But.

[Matt Abaticola]

But nothing positive.

[Dan Bernstein]

They're starting to get to the point where maybe they deserve a little bit of. Little bit of shine here, a little bit of attention, a little bit of spotlight, at least the guard, center guard guys, if they, if you were to put them on a poster. I don't know about left tackle quite yet because I'm not quite sure what's going on there. You can include Darnell Wright, but then the offensive line isn't going to want to do it if it doesn't include the entire offensive line. Just like the Black and Blues Brothers had Stefan Humphries and Andy Frederick and Tom Andrews on the poster. Because everybody was on the poster.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I'm telling. Still, one of my greatest moments as a Bears fan was at TJ Donlin's in Bourbon A. At the bar with Tom Thayer, who's on that poster. And he's pointing at the poster that's on the back wall or it's on a. It's up top near the back at TJ's. And he's telling a different story, ribald story about. About each one of the members of that line on that poster and the.

[Matt Abaticola]

Members of the members of that line.

[Dan Bernstein]

In the order left to right as we're sitting there enjoying inexpensive domestic beers.

[Matt Abaticola]

So. The Buffalo Bills lead the league with 376 rushing attempts. The Bears 374. The Bills and the Bears, the only two teams averaging over 150 yards per game. Commanders are in third at 138. Bears are averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The Buffalo Bills averaging 5 yards per carry. A lot of that has to do with Josh Allen.

[Dan Bernstein]

I was just going to say, if you adjust for the quarterback running, the.

[Matt Abaticola]

Bears are dominating the league as far as running backs rushing the football. And that has to do with your guard, center guard.

[Dan Bernstein]

It does.

[Matt Abaticola]

Just let your entire offensive line. Let's not take away from Isaac Chapillo, Theo Benedict. Darnell Wright obviously has been impactful in the run game.

[Dan Bernstein]

It isn't just the line either. It's. It's the design. It's the play design that is next level.

[Matt Abaticola]

And the blocking from the wide receivers as well.

[Dan Bernstein]

Everything. Yeah, everything.

[Matt Abaticola]

Tight ends, let's. Let's add Cole command to that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Loveland.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. And all the. The way the numbers are working, no matter who is getting the ball, it's everything. That's happening beforehand. What motion, reversing the motion, what little things are doing space and to change the numbers to make sure that they've got more than a hat on a hat or they are targeting when they do isolation and they're sending their. I don't know what they call it, whether they call it a, an H vac or using the U tight end as a hand on the ground fullback sometimes some they call it a joker. They call it a, an H back, a hybrid. Getting that guy in a variety of roles. Even Durham Smythe, who quietly has been really effective in the stuff they've asked him to do. So that's been really kind of cool.

[Matt Abaticola]

Looking at the division leaders, Dan, this is just wild. Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Ravens are your top four in the AFC. Chargers, Colts are now the six seed. The Bills are the seven seed. And the NFC. Bears, Rams, Eagles, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Packers, 49ers. I mean, just, it's just, it's, it's wild.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I'm a little worried the Rams got tagged at just the right time. Yeah, that's one of those. Where we're now McVeigh's. We're like, okay, all right, Got your attention now. We've been coasting for a while.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, the Panthers are one of the hottest teams in the game right now.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know, but it's ugly. Do they do anything for you?

[Matt Abaticola]

No, they don't.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. All right, they don't.

[Matt Abaticola]

But I mean, they're, they're, they're making their way. I mean, where are they at now? They're, they're the 10C. They've, I mean, they're getting all, they're getting close. The Seahawks are right there with the, with the Rams. The Panthers are coming up too.

[Dan Bernstein]

So just put it in the back of your head somewhere about a potential. What a poster would look like. And I don't mean an actual poster, I mean, but just like a, an identity, a nickname, something for this offensive line, especially that. Those three guys, whatever you think that. What do you call that, what do you call guard, center, guard? Is there a name for an, for that part of an offensive line? Like, like you'd call a pitcher in a, in a catcher. The Battery. Is there something about that, that forward facing interior punch that they're getting from those three?

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, we'll leave it out there for our listeners.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know, because.

[Matt Abaticola]

Email Dan at 312Sports Comm. And then strangles can actually do a poster.

[Dan Bernstein]

They were all free agents.

[Matt Abaticola]

You can make one.

[Dan Bernstein]

They, they came in the carpet baggers. I don't know what they are, but they're sure good.

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matt Abaticola]

They're giving out free hot dogs.

[Dan Bernstein]

They're giving out free hot dogs to anyone. Here's the other thing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, enjoy it.

[Dan Bernstein]

The other thing. Wieners Circle's awesome. Wiener's Circle speaks truth to power. Wiener Circle is a representation in a world that often sucks. Wiener's Circle is a beacon of goodness. Not just with their food, not just the way that they have taken care of longtime employees, not just in the way that they have been really just outstanding for the community. They're just cool and they're good guys. I root for them for Wieners Circle. So I have no problem with allowing them to be a part of this narrative by their own doing. And how about the fact that they're giving away hot dogs again? They were able to get the coach of the Chicago Bears to take his shirt off after the game. Everybody knew what was going on. He knew what was going on, and he did it. But more importantly, he righted a wrong when it came to 26. Immediately after the game, he's gathering everybody together and is in. As soon as he said Shawnee. When I heard him like, yes, it is about time, Maddie. Do we have it?

[Shawnee]

Man, I'm so proud of you guys. We took a short week. You took no shortcuts. We talked about the team that made more mistakes is going to lose that game. You guys didn't do it. You played your best ball for 60 minutes. Well done.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well done, well done.

[Shawnee]

All right. Hey, there's a number of performances here that we got to talk about, but I'm only going to give out two game balls right now. All right, give me the first one. Listen, this guy really should have had it for the last three weeks. And I, I just been. I've been wrong. I did wrong. All right, But Shawnee, Man, I appreciate all y'.

[Matt Abaticola]

All.

[Shawnee]

The organization, polls, everybody that allowed me to come here and do what I do best. And I appreciate y. I love y'.

[Lane Kiffin]

All.

[Shawnee]

Like KB said, this only matter from this point forward. So let's keep it going. Keep going, man. We got a couple backs that ran their off the. But let me tell you something, it does not get done without this offensive line. It's time to put it on our back.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's how we want it.

[Shawnee]

Oh, hold on, hold on. I know you guys, I know you guys are hungry for more, right? Let me tell you something. The city of Chicago is hungry too.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can we just run that for the rest of the day?

[Matt Abaticola]

Bears on four.

[Dan Bernstein]

Just keep that on a loop. And I think everybody would be happy. It's like when they start playing Christmas music on wlit. Oh, I guess it's that time. You could run that on a loop somewhere and every. Just drive around dumb smiles on their faces all day sitting there at the. You know, if you get. If the season ended right now, Bears win the NFC and that's that. You're nine and three, there's a lot of season left. And you know, December 1st, this is that week where everybody's kind of getting back to pretend to work for a little while.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

I guess this is it for the quarter and get all the budgeting done and all whatever you're doing. Most people kind of been mailing it in for a couple of weeks now. But this is. I want to say CPS is back to school for two weeks and our kids too. Well, you know, my kid just flew back to New Orleans for 12 days. So he's got. They have the, the American championship. They're taking on North Texas at Tulane for the spot in the playoff and finals and then they're coming home and that's it. I actually, I think, I think Jason DM'd Layla Rahimi for some kind of bet for the, for the North Texas two lane tilt and have you seen North Texas quarterback?

[Matt Abaticola]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Pretty good. I keep forgetting mess to maker. Austin Mocker. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

You know about the Tulane though, they're. They're pretty average team.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's what John Summerall tell you. Is he going to say the same about the Gators now if we're one.

[Matt Abaticola]

Of the top 25 teams. So, I mean, there must be some really bad football played right now in college football.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think we're.

[Matt Abaticola]

I watched his practice. I think we're average.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's great. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

If we're one of the top 25 teams, there's some pretty bad football out there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. They did fine against Charlotte because Charlotte is. I think they're 1 in 10. And they haven't beaten an FBS team, like, ever or something like that. So that was. I had to watch that this weekend.

[Matt Abaticola]

The Bears head coach took his shirt off in the middle of the locker room to do the Bears on four.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, he says on three. It's actually on four. I know.

[Matt Abaticola]

I love that email. That's a great.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, because it's 1, 2, 3. Which are on 4, by the way. Had the.

[Matt Abaticola]

The audio issue last Friday.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know.

[Matt Abaticola]

Which took out Friday Feedback Friday.

[Dan Bernstein]

Do we know what happened to Friday Feedback Friday?

[Matt Abaticola]

I have no idea. I don't know what. There was like a power surge. Maybe it was just me in your voice.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. It wasn't even electricity.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, it was just you.

[Dan Bernstein]

I just had a personal power surge.

[Matt Abaticola]

So I would. I would imagine that you'll. You'll keep some of those, my friend.

[Dan Bernstein]

Power surge. Hello.

[Matt Abaticola]

You'll bring some of those back, I would imagine.

[Dan Bernstein]

Those from last week, maybe, or no. I don't know. There's already new stuff rolling in my files already filling.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, refill your file.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, we'll see. There were some good ones for Friday feedback. I know. I feel like it's for Friday Feedback Friday, we got to have the best stuff. It's got to be timely. It's got to be right on there. So I apologize.

[Matt Abaticola]

Was that the. Was the Al Michael story last Friday?

[Dan Bernstein]

I think it was.

[Matt Abaticola]

I think you need to bring that one back.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, That's. It's.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's fucking great. That is really good. That's such a great story.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know.

[Matt Abaticola]

Not at all where I thought it was going to go. When you told the story, when he started reading the email, it went to a place that was so good.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can we. Can I just get an isolation, by the way, of Andrew Billings sprinting from the last game?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Is that okay?

[Dan Bernstein]

So he. Is he in the concussion protocol?

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, he said he was. Had a concussion. Came out of the game Friday with a concussion.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. Several people made the joke of that because there was that one camera angle of him.

[Matt Abaticola]

Perks is rolling out rights and he's chasing, giving chase.

[Dan Bernstein]

And somebody suggested that maybe with £400 moving like that. That was Enough to cause his brain too much, his concussion.

[Matt Abaticola]

I thought maybe the horse that rode in on him fell on top of him and landed on his head and.

[Dan Bernstein]

The horse that rode in on him. But I just want that slow motion, like super slow motion of Andrew Billings running set to evangelist's Chariots of fire theme or what else would work? Eric satie gymnopedi number two. You know, French, early 20th century.

[Matt Abaticola]

I like the chariots of Fire. That works the best.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Shawnee]

Just.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's just he. I don't know what his listed weight is right now, but if that dude isn't pushing four clicks, I don't know who is because he's got a. He's got a lot of extra padding.

[Matt Abaticola]

I mean, I'm not going to. Not going to lie about it. That play where he was chasing hurts. I may have rewounded immediately two or three times just to watch again.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's glorious.

[Matt Abaticola]

And I had to call Natalie in from the kitchen, be like, hey, here's your boyfriend chasing the quarterback.

[Dan Bernstein]

Hey, man. I think it was under his actual 40. Time at the combine was under five, but that, that was probably 100 pounds ago. There's no way big Bill could. Could run a 40 under. Under five, right?

[Matt Abaticola]

I would, I wouldn't think.

[Dan Bernstein]

No chance in hell. Yeah, not five seconds. I mean, five of something. Definitely five of some time. Incremental, but not seconds. I don't think.

[Matt Abaticola]

Really? You really don't think that.

[Dan Bernstein]

That he could run a 4, 9, 6:40 right now? No, I don't think that. No. Maybe it is junior high weight. Who was the first big time rear bulk rambler?

[Matt Abaticola]

Who cares? Probably some hunk. Who said one bet? I don't know. You want to bet on a bet?

[Dan Bernstein]

I'll bet you.

[Matt Abaticola]

I mean, how do we. How do we find this out though? He's got to run a 40. All right, so we. Okay, so let's make that happen in pads though.

[Dan Bernstein]

Or like combine. 40.

[Matt Abaticola]

Combine.

[Dan Bernstein]

Combine 40.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

In shorts. No way. He's under five seconds.

[Matt Abaticola]

I will investigate that and see what we can find.

[Dan Bernstein]

Not a chance. Not a chance. He can. Because remember to get ready for the combine. They drop weight, they train. He's 30 years old and he. And he's added another person to his body.

[Matt Abaticola]

I love Andrew Billings. I'm going to. I'm going to take Andrew Billings under 5 and the 40.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, you're going to lose.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's fine. I'll bet with my heart on this one. I love Big Bill.

[Dan Bernstein]

I love Big Bill too.

[Matt Abaticola]

Not as much as I love Big Bill, I love Big Bill more than you do.

[Dan Bernstein]

I love Big Bill more. I know how fast he actually moves. And there is no way that that man can run any 40 that starts with a 4. No way. Whether you are sending an unforgettable gift plus it's minutes or treating yourself to everyday perfection, Omaha Steaks delivers the world's best steak experience. I didn't even know another box was coming. And my goodness, I got a note and it said there's something on my phone buzz and it said your UPS delivery. Wait, what? I'm not expecting a delivery. I call home, I said, can you go out to the porch and see what got delivered? And they said, it's a big box that says Omaha Steaks on it. I said, hot damn, I would like you to open that box and please tell me what in it. And they just kept talking. It was like beef tenderloins, center cut pork chops, caramel apple tartlets, like ooh, damn it. Because then the kids knew the caramel apple tartlets were there. So obviously I hid them. And he's now off to college so I'm going to eat them before he gets back. You can have that same joy when you get your Omaha Steaks big old box delivered and you can send that joy to others. It's the cyber sale. 50% off site wide, an extra 20% off select favorites@omaha steaks.com the best deals of the season, exclusive limited time offers. Plus because you are listening to Dan Bernstein unfiltered, you get an extra $35 off with the promo code Bernstein at checkout. Terms apply. See site for details. The cyber sale is the perfect time to shop for gifts and orders placed by 5pm ship the same day. And giving Omaha Steaks is sending inexperience because you get that joy of the moment it arrives and then figuring out, ooh, what do we keep in the upstairs freezer? What do we put in the downstairs freezer? What's for now, what might be for later? Because it's a big box, you can't eat it all at once. It's a family owned company, over 100 years of expertise in the meat industry. America's original butcher since 1917. They also have mouthwatering burgers, pork, chicken, seafood and those desserts that I was talking about. So save big on unforgettable gifts with omaha steaks. Visit omaha steaks.com for 50% off site wide, an extra 20% off select favorites during the cyber sale. And for that extra $35 off. It's a lot. Use promo code Bernstein at checkout. B, E, R, N, S, T, E, I, N. Just my last name at checkout. You know me like that. That's Omaha steaks.com, promo code Bernstein at checkout. Terms apply. See site for details. I didn't get enough sleep because of that stupid football game last night. And we're going to get into it a little more as we do when we get into our NFL breakdown and forward progress. But, look, NFL don't do that to me. Don't. Don't. Everybody was tired. The players were tired. I was tired. The officials seemed like they were drunk. I don't know what was going on, but I'm like, now I'm already dirty. And now I'm like, yeah, that coin toss.

[Matt Abaticola]

Didn't know what was happening.

[Dan Bernstein]

And then I'm like, all right. I guess I was gonna go upstairs and floss. I guess I'll floss here. I keep it downstairs. Floss. Just in case I'm downstairs too long. Like, all right, I gotta bother because she says I'm a loud flosser. So I've gotta, like, close the door and close the other door in the bathroom when I floss because she says I floss too loud. Is that a thing?

[Matt Abaticola]

I think it's just that's. That's like a married couple thing.

[Dan Bernstein]

There's.

[Matt Abaticola]

There's little things about every married person.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know, but apparently I'm. I am a loud.

[Matt Abaticola]

So you're flossing a noise? Your wife.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm flossing conscientiously. You have to get below the gum line. And if you're like.

[Matt Abaticola]

You make mouth noises. What are you doing? It's just kind of like when you eat. You. Are you, like. Are you making noises when I eat? Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, it's nothing to do with what I eat. She's like, no. When you.

[Matt Abaticola]

When you eat, you make. You make noises. Like, audible noises. You're always like, you do that a lot? Are you making sounds when you.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't do that a lot.

[Matt Abaticola]

All the time. Every meal. Oh, you do? No, not like chewing noises, but, like sounds of happiness and joy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, you do. This is good.

[Matt Abaticola]

You've done it for years. That's just what your thing is. And so I wonder, maybe you make audible noises.

[Dan Bernstein]

No.

[Matt Abaticola]

Or do you talk to yourself while you're coaching?

[Dan Bernstein]

Myself flossing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Maybe that annoys her. All right, I got that one. Now let's get this one.

[Shawnee]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Who knows?

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe green 19.

[Matt Abaticola]

Have you asked her why it annoys you? Have you asked her why it annoys her?

[Dan Bernstein]

She just said it's too loud. Okay. So I have to go in the other room. So I keep downstairs flossing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Like the actual act of flossing itself isn't loud.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

So maybe there's something you're doing, like.

[Dan Bernstein]

Like screaming while flossing. I don't know. Ask her.

[Matt Abaticola]

Your flossing doesn't bother me.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's just.

[Dan Bernstein]

She says it's like it echoes in my giant mouth or something. I don't know what's going on I. But I've been told, and I. That's it. And that's it. So call his tails.

[Matt Abaticola]

And it is head. We're gonna kick that way. Kick that way. Kick that way. You're gonna kick. You'll receive this way. Yes, sir.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's high.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't know what's happening.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's high. That's what I'd say. You're getting a kick. Okay. You, that way. All right. Are we getting food? Are we getting tacos? He's going to kick. That's very cool. It's cold out, man. Yeah, he's kicking that way. Where are you guys going to go? Why don't you get food? I'll pay for it if you get it. I like it. I like the idea of a referee.

[Matt Abaticola]

Who just totally stoned to take his.

[Dan Bernstein]

Edible after the third quarter. It's kind of starting to kick in a little bit.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, he. Maybe he didn't anticipate overtime and he, you know, so he took. It is getting close to bedtime.

[Dan Bernstein]

I got that warm feel. Hey, I think. I think there's a Chinese place that's open. You want to get some chow fun? Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's almost as if he forgot what he was doing there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let's get some chow fun and some egg rolls. I think that'd be awesome. Oh, that's right. You're kicking.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, call his tails. And it is head. Kick that way.

[Dan Bernstein]

What?

[Matt Abaticola]

Kick that way. You're gonna kick.

[Dan Bernstein]

He has a big smile on his face. You're not gonna kick. You have a kicker to kick. You're not gonna kick. What do you mean you're gonna kick? You don't kick. Okay. He said he's gonna kick. How funny would that be if he kicked? Oh, okay. I'm hungry. Can I have some of that water? No, it's our water. Yeah, it's okay. It's water. Have some. Maybe some extra water. He's got Like a. He's got a bag of salt and vinegar chips he's gonna eating out of. You're gonna kick. I found these. These are good. You want some? It was so weird.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, it was weird.

[Dan Bernstein]

Everything got all weird. All right, if you're Michigan State, can I just ask a rhetorical question here?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

If you're Michigan State and you spent years and millions of dollars.

[Matt Abaticola]

Working your.

[Dan Bernstein]

Way through and eventually out of somehow, maybe even not really, the whole entire Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal. Right. Remember Larry. Remember Larry was touching everybody and was ruining lives, and they kind of didn't care. Larry's touching people. Is this a big thing?

[Matt Abaticola]

Nah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let him keep doing it. And then they let him keep doing it. And then they got in trouble, and then they got shamed and eventually paid off millions and millions and millions of dollars to people for allowing Larry Nassar to use Michigan State athletics as a place where he could destroy human beings through sexual abuse. Sort of like what Ohio State did with that guy Strauss. They got this stuff that Jim Jordan was covering up and kind of like what happened at Penn State with the assistant coach. Big thing in the Big Ten. It's what you do in the Big Ten. Well, Northwestern was no different, because Northwestern had years and years and years of all of this sexual abuse in the football program that was with their coach had no idea.

[Matt Abaticola]

None.

[Dan Bernstein]

He had no idea any of it was going on. That according to the university, they said 11 current or former football players acknowledged hazing that included, quote, forced participation, nudity, and sexualized acts of a degrading nature. That hasn't been disputed. That. That is. That. That's a fact that has been accepted by both sides. And Fitzgerald was fired, and now Michigan State's gonna hire that. Really? Michigan State? One thing we haven't had enough around here is sex abuse. Now, we had it for a while, and now we don't have it. Let's rekindle the focus on sex abuse on this campus, because that's good for us. That's what we need at Michigan State. All right. Okay. And the bigger question is this. Can I just ask this? What is it exactly that you're hiring when you hire Pat Fitzgerald? What does he do? Most coaches, you know, if you hire Lane Kiffin, you know, you're getting an innovative offense like Lincoln Riley, you know, you're getting an offense with a quarterback. You know, whether or not it succeeds, you can tell your community what you're getting for your money and for your. Your aggravation and for how. Whatever you think you're risking bringing somebody in who had a history of creating a culture that allowed hazing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, here's the thing.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sexualized hazing.

[Matt Abaticola]

And so Pat Fitzgerald, 17 years at Northwestern, I didn't realize it was that long and I don't have the Northwestern football history memorized, but he did a lot of first, didn't he? Wasn't it 10 game winning seasons.

[Dan Bernstein]

You.

[Matt Abaticola]

Know, a Rose bowl appearance? I mean, didn't he, Gary Barnett.

[Dan Bernstein]

Gary Barnett was the one who kind of brought it all back. And then Randy Walker took over. Randy Walker who was like the next guy coming out of the cradle of coaches, Miami of Ohio, coachee, coach, coachy, coach. And then he died and they gave the job to Pat Fitzgerald at age 30, whatever he was, because he sort of embodied Northwestern football. His whole bit was culture.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right. So that's what I was going to say. It wasn't the whole thing about culture and what he did. And the irony of it was that he had a toxic criminal culture that he developed and cultivated.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ah, yes. So his whole thing was culture.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

And that was just. I didn't know anything about the culture.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

His only defense, when he clearly any, any reasonable person would obviously presume that he knew what was going on and did a nice job building in his layers of plausible deniability like a mob boss does. So I don't believe that he didn't know what was going on. A lot of other people don't believe that he didn't know what was going on. And if he was able to get a check cut because he was able to prove enough that they didn't want to continue litigating whether or not he knew what was going on, fine. But it's up to Michigan State and anybody else who would employ him to make that judgment. I just think it is really gross that Michigan State, of all the possibilities out there would say this, this is the guy who, we can't quite tell you what he, what he does as a coach. He's known as a leader, a culture builder.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, so Gary Barnett did have the first 10 win season. He had back to back seasons of 10 wins, nine wins and then. But he only had the one, so he was the first to do it. But Fitzgerald had three 10 win seasons, obviously the Rose bowl appearance, Gator bowl. It was the Rose bowl they were in, weren't they? I'm not making that up. Yeah, so he won several bowl games but had three 10 win seasons, which is pretty significant for their football history. But yeah, he asked the question my Initial thought was, yeah, it was about building culture because he embodied what Northwestern football was all about. And then. Yeah, and then the end of it was a really bad culture, so.

[Dan Bernstein]

But you realized after the fact how bad the culture was.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right, but he didn't know. So why is Michigan State bringing him there? It's a fair question to ask. What are you getting with Pat Fitzgerald? 110 wins, 101 losses. I mean, it's, you know, who.

[Dan Bernstein]

The reason why it all worked there was because he embodied what they were. He was the face, the essence, the heart and soul of Northwestern football. I'm not sure how this travels.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know.

[Matt Abaticola]

You know, Vanderbilt had their, their first 10 win season ever completed with the win over Tennessee.

[Dan Bernstein]

Congratulations to Vanderbilt.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, big win. 45, 24 over Tennessee at Tennessee and they drop one spot in the rankings, which is cool. That makes, makes sense. They beat a 19th ranked team and they drop. And then I'm surprised Notre Dame's not number one. I was just gonna say, how is.

[Dan Bernstein]

This going to become a Notre Dame? Rank in the back of my head, I'm just thinking at some point, all roads lead back to somehow Notre Dame.

[Matt Abaticola]

So then Lane Kiffin. Did you hear from Lane Kiffin?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, I do.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, Are you ready? You sure?

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I'm ready.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, so this is Lane Kiffin right before he boards the private jet.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. And to whom is he talking?

[Matt Abaticola]

He's Talking to football, McFootball, a guy at ESPN. I'd have to look up who it is.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't recognize the guy's face.

[Dan Bernstein]

So what does he look like?

[Matt Abaticola]

He. He looks, he looks like a UFC fighter and he's got a beard. He's really thin. He looks like kind of McGregor with a longer beard. Yeah, I don't know. I'll find out who he is.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't.

[Matt Abaticola]

I have no idea who this guy is. I've seen him on TV before, but I don't know his name. You've just left your last meeting with.

[Dan Bernstein]

The Ole Miss Rebels and you're getting ready to get on an airplane to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. What is going through your mind right now?

[Lane Kiffin]

You know that this was a very challenging, difficult day. You know, we went through a lot last night with Keith Carter trying to figure out a way, you know, to make this playoff, you know, run, work and be a. To coach the team. And at the end of the day, that's his decision and I totally respect that. I understand that decision. And you know, So I just totally wish the team the best of luck, wish that I was coaching, but understand that it was very challenging position for him and the chance to be in and totally respect that. So, you know, just really, really hope they play really well and go win the national championship. It was really difficult. This has been a really special place six years here. I know that there's a lot of feelings and emotions right now around. I hope when they settle down that there's an appreciation about what we were able to do here and having the best run that's ever been done in the history of the school and brought some exciting times. So I'm so appreciative to the people of Oxford and the relationships that I developed here. And you know, when I spoke at my dad's funeral, he moved 17 times. And I realized when all the people I got all the letters, calls, people showed up from around all those different spots, North Carolina State, all the different spots he coached and they said he was able to impact them and how much that meant to them. And so I've really strived since that day to really try to impact people and help people through life, through my journey. So just prayed a lot and made a family decision and hopefully get a chance to go impact a whole new set of people.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's Marty Smith. Marty Smith from ESPN is the guy who is.

[Dan Bernstein]

For him to not explode after saying that is a disservice. Like immediately, by the time you're done with that sentence, if you have any decency at all, you should spontaneously combust. Seriously, flogging your dead dad. Yeah, well, my father's dead and everybody loved him. And we moved 17 times. And this is what I've learned. It's all about relationships. So long, suckers. All about relationships and building people up. You left your team there waiting for you. You left your team like outside a door waiting for your decision. You're going and taking a check. Just say you like the money. Just say it's a better chance to win a national championship. Say it's a bigger, better job. They gave you more money, you're taking the job.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Wasn't it like Wednesday or Thursday Was like, I'll have my decision on Saturday.

[Dan Bernstein]

Dad's funeral. And your pray, to whom are you praying? Well, to his God. To whom are you praying? Mammon. Is that the God of wealth? Who's the Plutus?

[Matt Abaticola]

But wasn't this like, Wasn't there a 48 or 72 hour like window where it was like, I'm going to make my decision Saturday like you did that to your team, Right? Isn't that what happened?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

So listen, I got no skin in this game.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't victim.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I don't. I'm not, you know, I don't hate Lane Kiffin. I don't like Lane Kiffin. I'm not against lsu.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, but the whole idea, simpering.

[Matt Abaticola]

I just.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nivelling reporting. Oh, you're about to board a plane to go take a college football. Like, what are doing? You talk to the guy. Be normal, man.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't like this aspect of college football because your season's still happening. I just don't think it's right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Whatever.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's not. What? It's not, though. It's not right. Like, you're. You're the head coach of this team and their season's still going on. Like, guys shouldn't be interviewing, taking jobs, leaving jobs while the job's still happening. I just. I don't like that aspect of college football.

[Dan Bernstein]

I understand if you're moving up, like John Sumrall going to Florida.

[Matt Abaticola]

No, I get it. But do it when the season's over. Like his team's still playing. Like, finish out this season. Like, don't talk then. Don't ever, ever any college football coach. Don't ever talk to me about how you do it for the kids and it's. How it's for the kids and the student athletes don't like. Just stop that bullshit. I get it. It's a big money thing and, you know, and if I'm coaching Ole Miss and I get an offer at LSU or I'm coaching at Tulane and I get an offer in Florida, I'm taking both those jobs because they're better football jobs. But I don't think it should happen while the season's still happening. I just. I don't like. I don't like any that. Any of that aspect of college football.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know if they can control it. I don't know the coaches are to blame for that.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, how about college football controls it?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know what they want and what they don't want, but yeah, you can.

[Matt Abaticola]

You can get. You can get fired and leave a job anytime you want. That's you. That's your.

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe they love. Like, if you look what ESPN is doing with all SEC things, even people who don't know who Lane Kiffin is and don't care about Lane Kiffin just spent two weeks being updated every time he took a dump. Like the way they. They've been Wagging the dog on this thing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Like, as an employer, you have a right to fire whoever you want whenever you want. And as an employee, you have a right to leave a job whenever you want. I just don't think you should take another job or be able to while it's still happening. Not. Not this football. This isn't a normal life. It's not a normal job.

[Dan Bernstein]

But it's one thing if you're. If you're going, if you're moving up, if you're John Sumrall and you're moving up to Florida and you say, I'm going to coach Tulane the rest of the way, Tulane doesn't care. What are you gonna do? Take two lane football secrets to Florida? I do understand what Ole Miss is like. No, we're locking you out. You're not gonna use our resources. You're not gonna have your passwords. You're not gonna have access to everything. Everything here.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, that's why a guy shouldn't be able to get a new job while he still has a job and he's coaching.

[Dan Bernstein]

But you know, the agent is arranging it anyway. Yeah, I know, I know.

[Matt Abaticola]

I get it. I get how the business works. I just don't like it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, well, I don't know if you are a college football fan. I think you're already past some of this stuff. You already know that that's the case. And whoever you're worshiping at the time is going to be worshiping a higher God of wealth. I think it is Plutus, isn't it? Pluto?

[Matt Abaticola]

No, he was. That's Mickey's friend.

[Dan Bernstein]

It is, but it's also. One is Greek and one is Roman. One's Pluto and one's Plutus.

[Matt Abaticola]

And I spent too much of my Saturday watching Ohio State and Michigan. I want to waste my time.

[Dan Bernstein]

It was bad.

[Matt Abaticola]

It was real bad.

[Dan Bernstein]

But that's up to you how you spend your Saturday.

[Matt Abaticola]

I know.

[Dan Bernstein]

And spend most of the rest of the time shoveling.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, no.

[Dan Bernstein]

And there's three more inches coming. I didn't shovel. You didn't shovel? You gotta shovel, man.

[Matt Abaticola]

Got a guy who shovels.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I see.

[Matt Abaticola]

Got a guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, okay, you know, I've got a window guy.

[Matt Abaticola]

See? Don't judge me. You're a window guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

I've got a window guy.

[Matt Abaticola]

I got a snow guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

And the good news is you have a window guy, too. And his name is Russ Armstrong. And all you gotta do is call him 847-302-9171. You can check out his five star reviews at ChicagoNowBeyond.com and he will come out to the house and he'll give you an estimate. And it's a real estimate. It's not one of these silly things that big Window gives you where they make up some buy one, get one free offer or some 50% off offer. Russ is just going to give you the best product at the best price guaranteed with his price match guarantee. He doesn't use subcontracted labor. It's all his people. The crew works for him. So the same crew that is making my windows and installing my windows is going to install yours and his factory's right here in Chicago. So with that lifetime guarantee with parts and labor, your kid throws a ball through the window, Russ is going to replace it. And you don't have to wait weeks on end because everything's here in Chicago. So Russ at Window Guys has you covered. New windows make a huge difference. So Please call him 847-302-9171 and check out his 5 star reviews at ChicagoNowdownGuys.com the Bulls have a game tonight against Orlando and we're going to see if they can possibly respond and stop the bleeding. Right now the Bulls are bleeding. They are getting destroyed. Now that film is out on what they try to do, what they can do, what they can't do. And yes, they've been limited by injuries, as is every single team, and they've lost to teams that have no players left. They've lost a team starting their entire bench. They must become more physical. And I'm going to tell you, in DBU picks, you're going to find out whether or not I believe in what they're doing. But the book is out on the Bulls. Beat them up physically. You can climb all over their backs. You can knock them off the dribble. You can simply use ball screens to make them switch into favorable matchups. And you can attack Josh Giddey all you want and back guys down and work guys over physically. I have said this before when I noticed this in the Portland game. It's a hockey strategy. It's a four check. You just go hard to the offensive glass, beat him up, get the ball close to the rim and then go after it and attack it. And if you miss the first shot, grab it again and make the second shot you need. If you go with Kobe assists, if you miss, somebody's going to grab it and put it in because there's nothing they can do about it until they want to. And maybe the game against Orlando is the time that they want to. But it has been a dispiriting run for the Bulls, as everything's been great for the Bears. The Bulls started five and. Oh, and they were six and one. And then everybody got a look at them and said, okay, all right. Oh, oh, oh, oh. You're. You're a bunch of physical cowards. Okay, great. That's just how we'll attack you then. They knew it. They knew. Vuch knew it. Maybe it started in the halftime of that Portland game when Portland's all right, we got to come back down 20, whatever. And they did. And they beat him up. And other teams continue to beat him up. This was supposed to be a part of the schedule where they were going to get fat, and they haven't. They have not done so. Like Andrew Billings, who I do not think can run a 40 in under five.

[Matt Abaticola]

We're going to. We're going to get that figured out.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Oh, I know we are. He's.

[Matt Abaticola]

He's going to get it done.

[Dan Bernstein]

He will run it for us at some point.

[Matt Abaticola]

A499 for me.

[Dan Bernstein]

A couple things that I wanted to mention as well. On Thanksgiving, we posted our show with Danny Mack here on dbu. And by putting it out on Thanksgiving, I knew it would be kind of a quiet release, that we weren't going to bang the drums for that one too much. But I knew after we finished recording it that it was really good. And I just want to thank you for the feedback and thank you for all the nice things that have been said about when that came out on Thanksgiving morning and to have people who are still giving that a listen and understanding that it was not really about sports. It was nominally about sports, but it was about a whole lot more than that. And there's a lot of vulnerability in it. There's a lot of very, very real discussion. And especially if you're a longtime Chicago radio fan, there's a lot in there for you to appreciate. And there's new things. There's new things for everybody involved and a ton of honesty. So thank you for all the feedback on that. And I also wanted to mention, if you haven't noticed, what's going on with 312 sports and our invigorated social media presence. There's a reason for that. For some of these new videos that are coming out that you are seeing on Instagram, on X, on TikTok, elsewhere, YouTube shorts. YouTube shorts, probably places. I don't even know where stuff is being platformed right now. We've added a member to our team and he's a guy named Cody Delmendo, who is now our. Sorry, was that his music? No, I didn't know if he had his own music. Maybe he does. Cody's doing an unbelievable job. So if you're saying, well, wait, where did all this come from? Where did all this social media energy come from that you want to put a name and a face to the social media voice for what's going on at 312, that is our guy, Cody Delmendo. So it's just a name for you to know. I know he does some stuff under his own name as well. He's a big Cubs guy and certainly worth a follow if you want to understand where he's coming from on some things. We welcome him to the team and appreciate the work that he's doing right now. Hey, I got more good news for you. My bookie is giving you a chance to make this stretch of the season a whole lot more profitable. Because my bookie is keeping all the action rolling with college ball, with NFL, with the super contest with survivor pools. It is a full menu of ways to win before 2025 winds down. All the spreads, the in game lines, the player props, everything you want all in one place, all ready for the holiday grind. And if you are new to my bookie, don't forget our code. The initials of this show DBU for Dan Bernstein unfiltered. And any bet you choose up to $500 is completely covered. What does covered mean? Well, you make your play and then if it doesn't hit, you get it right back when you opt in using the bet back bonus token. Holiday chaos is coming. Winter is coming if it's not already here. No better time to jump in. No better place to play with our code. Dbu. Load up, lock in and enjoy my bookie. Which brings us to DBU picks that are presented by my bookie. We've got a Bulls game tonight. We have an NFL game tonight as well. Matty, let's start with you. What are your picks?

[Matt Abaticola]

So I'm looking at Monday Night Football tonight it is the Giants at the Patriots. So we're going to lay the points with New England. They're giving seven. So we're going to lay seven with New England. And we're going to take the Unders a little in game parlay of 46 and a half. So Patriots minus seven and the under. Patriots versus Giants 46 and a half. That's what we'll do for tonight's Monday night football.

[Dan Bernstein]

I've got three things for you. I have Drake may at two or more passing touchdowns. Drake made have two or more passing touchdowns. I'm also with the Bulls at Orlando. I'm going to take that eight and a half. I'm going to see if the Bulls can show a little bit of pride tonight and get me within eight and a half on the spread. So plus eight and a half bulls and also former bull Wendell Carter Jr. Is shooting 45% from three point range and the over under for his three pointers tonight is a half of one. So all I need is one three pointer out of Wendell Carter Jr. With the bulls being one of the worst defensive teams I've seen in a long, long time, I'm going to take it. So those three things, Drake may two or more touchdowns, the Bulls plus the 8.5 and Wendell Carter Jr. To hit one or more three pointers in the game. Those are my DBU picks. Lock in your picks now with my bookie. Bet on anything, anywhere, anytime. And that does it for today's Dan Bernstein Unfiltered, brought to you in partnership with my bookie and by our dear friend Russ Armstrong and Chicago Window guys. Make sure you give Chicago Window guys a call at 847-302-917.

[Matt Abaticola]

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered Unfiltered on 31 2-2- SPORTS.