Pardon My Take — Episode Summary

CFB With Andy Staples, CM Punk In Studio, MNF Doubleheader, Tush Push On The Ropes + FAQs

Date: September 17, 2025
Hosts: Big Cat & PFT Commenter (Barstool Sports)
Main Guests: Andy Staples (College Football), CM Punk (WWE)

Episode Overview

Big Cat, PFT Commenter, and crew dive into a jam-packed show featuring in-depth sports talk, with special attention to NFL storylines and a meaty college football segment with Andy Staples. Wrestling star CM Punk joins in-studio for a candid and funny interview. The episode covers Monday Night Football’s doubleheader, the evolving fate of the NFL “Tush Push” play, wild college football storylines, FAQ banter, and their signature Hot Seat/Cool Throne segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. NFL Monday Night Football Doubleheader & Baker Mayfield Love (03:42–08:44)

• Baker Mayfield Praise:
  • The hosts gush over Baker’s performance, toughness, and attitude.
  • Quote: “Baker just gets better because he gets angrier as the game goes on... The more you defeat Baker during a football game, the stronger he becomes.” — PFT (03:51)
  • Baker's animated trash talk and “dog” mentality impress the group.
• Texans’ Offensive Struggles:
  • Frustration with the Texans’ lack of improvement on offense despite staff changes. Criticism for getting rid of their offensive coordinator and most of their O-line.

II. Coaching Decisions & The Rise of the Clock Guy (05:59–07:43)

• Humorous dive into NFL “clock guys,” such as the consultant hired to manage end-of-game situations for Todd Bowles and others.
• Jokes about what clock guys actually do, suggesting their job is like “playing Madden all day.”

III. The Pinky Bet: Chiefs, Texans, and Taylor Swift (08:58–13:55)

• Big Cat reiterates his infamous “pinky bet” where he promises to cut off the tip of his pinky if an 0-2 team he picked wins the Super Bowl (now on the Texans).
• If the Chiefs win it all, he’ll instead get a visible Taylor Swift lyric tattoo.
  • Quotes:
    • “If the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, I will get a Taylor Swift lyric tattooed on my body.” — Big Cat (10:58)
    • “Touch me while your bros play Grand Theft Auto.” — Group riffs on which lyric is right (11:26)
• The ethics and gross-out factor of the pinky bet are debated amongst the hosts.

IV. NFL Quick Hits: Sophomore Slumps & Backup QBs (13:55–23:56)

• CJ Stroud is analyzed—hosts joke it’s “past time” to talk about him and discuss typical sophomore slumps.
• Brief panic over injuries to QBs like J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Joe Burrow, including discussions about potential Vikings QB moves.
• The Bengals’ rotation of backup-level QBs is mocked: “It’s literally Mount Rushmore...of handing the ball off.” — PFT (21:49)

V. Tom Brady Booth Controversy (24:00–34:01)

• Brady in the Booth:
  Extended debate: Is it strange for newly-minted Raiders owner Tom Brady to attend production meetings with Patriots/other teams for TV purposes?
  • Quote: “I just...It is weird. It’s a weird setup that he’s sitting with Chip Kelly three times a week and then going and sitting with other teams.” — Big Cat (28:38)
• Consensus:
  Most agree it’s “weird,” especially after calling an industry insider live for confirmation. ESPN’s role in creating the controversy is also discussed.

VI. Tush Push: NFL’s Most Controversial Play? (35:52–39:50)

• NFL’s ongoing “Tush Push” (QB sneak push) debate: Is it on its way to being banned?
  • Quote: “It’s going to be officiated differently for the rest of the year...It’s over.” — Big Cat (37:06)
  • Hosts argue the “tush push” will be banned for reasons of officiating difficulty, rather than player safety.

VII. Hot Seat / Cool Throne (45:52–52:09)

• Hot seat: World Stone Skimming Championships (scandal over illegal “stones”), Ken Rosenthal’s bad apology, Chris Fowler (broadcasting sick).
• Cool throne: Mondo Duplantis (sets new pole vault record), baseball celebrations (such as Schwarber’s beer showers), Madison Beer as Justin Herbert’s secret weapon.
• Highlights:
  • Quote: “Schwarber—never seen anyone have more alcohol poured on him in a moment...” — Big Cat (56:14)
  • Philosophical discussion of baseball clinching celebrations.

Main Guest Segment: Andy Staples on College Football (65:52–114:14)

A. State of Florida Gators & Coach Billy Napier (66:52–69:43)

• Andy Staples unpacks Florida’s underwhelming season, QB DJ Lagway’s struggles, and the politics around keeping or firing Billy Napier mid-season.
  • “It feels inevitable that he’ll get fired...but I don’t think they’re going to quit.” — Andy Staples (66:52)

B. QB Disappointment & The Arch Manning Situation (70:13–77:25)

• Discussion about high-profile QBs (Arch Manning, DJ Lagway, etc.) who have not lived up to the hype.
  • “I thought maybe he could be average at worst. I don’t know what the hell this is.” — Andy Staples on Arch (74:40)
• Theories: Is it mental? Is the leash too long because there's no clear #2?

C. SEC Heavyweights & Playoff Contenders (82:23–89:03)

• Tennessee vs. Georgia: Both look playoff-worthy, but debate over Josh Heupel’s late-game conservatism.
• “There is no Death Star in the SEC this year.” — Andy Staples (83:34)
• Alabama status check: "They might be back"—but the real test comes against Georgia.

D. Notre Dame’s Playoff Path & Broader CFB Landscape (90:24–95:25)

• Big Cat posits Notre Dame still controls their destiny at 10–2; Andy slightly disagrees about playoff guarantees.

E. Big Ten Teams, Penn State’s QB Conundrum (95:25–98:46)

• The crew discusses Penn State’s inability to cover spreads, QB Drew Aller vs. Bo Prabula, and Big Ten’s unexpected power balance shaping up.

F. Clemson’s Decline & Miami’s Rise (104:39–107:08)

• Are we watching Clemson “pass the torch” to Florida State? Miami, at 16-1 odds, is flagged as incredible value for a playoff spot.

G. Heisman Futures & Wide Open Race (109:23–114:01)

• John Mateer highlighted as current favorite; Marcel Reed (A&M), Dante Moore (Oregon), and others receive mention.
  • “It’s John Mattier for me right now.” — Andy Staples (110:12)

Wrestling Segment: CM Punk in Studio (115:57–156:13)

A. Wrestle Palooza & WWE Return (116:05–121:12)

• CM Punk jokes about the name “Wrestle Palooza,” discusses the new ESPN deal, and reflects on his “cautious optimism” being back in WWE.
  • “I try to live in the moment...there’s peaks and valleys to everything.” — CM Punk (120:35)

B. Athlete Mindset & Career Reflection

• Punk talks physical wear, the unique “stats” of wrestling, and how storytelling/feuds are built in and out of the ring.
• On self-scouting & wrestling Mount Rushmore, Punk selects icons like Bret Hart, Piper, Terry Funk, Eddie Guerrero, Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes.

C. Tag Teaming with AJ Lee & Show Preview

• Excitement for teaming up again with his wife AJ Lee at Wrestle Palooza, explains the emotional and entertainment significance.
  • “To me, Wrestle Palooza is the celebration of wrestling—and my wife getting to kind of sit in the shade of the trees she planted over 10 years ago.” — CM Punk (154:42)

D. Cities, Fans, and Life on the Road

• Discusses favorite/least favorite US cities to perform in; Chicago always gets his top ranking.
• Quote: “It’s just a lot easier to get people to hate you than it is to get people to truly love you.” (148:26)
• Fondness for getting to work and travel with his wife, plus thoughts on his future in wrestling and acting.

FAQs / Grab Bag Banter (157:36–end)

• Amusing hypotheticals: switching bodies, “most chaotic” pre-show moments, who’s most reliable in a jail scenario.
• More light-hearted jabs at Max, discussion about body types, superpowers (“eat whatever you want without weight gain”), and behind-the-scenes mayhem.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The more you defeat Baker during a football game, the stronger he becomes.” — PFT (03:51)
• “If the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, I will get a Taylor Swift lyric tattooed on my body.” — Big Cat (10:58)
• “It is a little weird. He’s literally on the headset and then meets with other teams.” — Big Cat (28:38, on Tom Brady)
• “There is no Death Star in the SEC this year.” — Andy Staples (83:34)
• “To me, Wrestle Palooza is the celebration of wrestling—and my wife getting to kind of sit in the shade of the trees she planted over 10 years ago.” — CM Punk (154:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NFL MNF + Baker/Texans: 03:42–08:44
• Clock Guy Deep Dive: 05:59–07:43
• Pinky Bet/Taylor Swift: 08:58–13:55
• Brady in the Booth Controversy: 24:00–34:01
• Tush Push Discussion: 35:52–39:50
• Hot Seat/Cool Throne: 45:52–52:09
• Andy Staples Interview: 65:52–114:14
• CM Punk Interview: 115:57–156:13
• FAQs / End: 157:36–end

Tone & Style

A blend of passionate sports analysis, irreverent humor, quick tangents, and personal storytelling, all delivered with the chaotic barstool energy their audience expects. Frequent friendly insults, running gags (like the pinky bet), and meta-discussion (e.g., “is this weird?”) pervade the conversation.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a classic PMT ride: NFL Monday night drama, the fate of bizarre football plays, high-stakes college football hot takes, wild hypothetical bets, a high-profile wrestling guest, and the kind of banter that makes you feel like you’re in the room. Topics range from playoff implications to the future of weird NFL plays, genuine insights into athlete mentality, and plenty of comedic detours along the way.