Tony Kornheiser (2:42)

Yeah, I mean, look, the diet, you know, I know what I've said about the Cowboys. I know I said I was fixated on the Cowboys and I was fixated on the Cowboys. And I wish they would run the table because in fact, they're great fun to watch. They score a lot of points and they give up a lot of points and it's very, very entertaining. Dak Prescott is very good. But I also said it'd be an elimination game. So they're out. I accept that they're out. The thing about Detroit that always impressed me is this thing where they win after they lose. This is the 15th straight Dime Mike, that they have won the next game after losing a game that ties the NFL record of all time. They've done it over the last three years when they were a playoff team. My problem with them and what stumps me about them is I think they should be better than they are on offense and defense. I like them, but they lose a lot of games. You can say they lose to high quality teams, twice to the packers this year, once to the Eagles, once to the Chiefs. They are high quality teams, but it's a lot of games that they have lost. And the fact of the matter is, when you go to the playoffs, you draw a good team. And if you lose, you can't come back the next week to win the game because you're out. So that's what I'll say.

Mike Wilbon (3:50)

And Tony, also when you lose your starting safety and they've had injuries last year that undermined that team and now they could be on that road again. I hope they're not. Even though I want to see the Bears beat them, I don't want to see them succumb to injuries like they did last year. We've got more compelling matchups to come this weekend. The Colts and Jags meet in an AFC south matchup of eight and four teams. The Steelers and Ravens meet in a battle of the two, six and six teams atop the AFC North. And the Bears and Packers meet with first place in the NFC Central on the line. Tony, which of this weekend's NFL matchups is of the biggest consequence to you?

Tony Kornheiser (4:32)

I'm going to stay away from the packers and the Bears. That is your account. I'm going to leave all of that to you and I'm going to go off the board here because to me the most consequential game is Houston at Kansas City. If Houston wins that game, Kansas City is not going to make the playoffs. Kansas City hasn't missed the playoffs since 2014 and, and in the interim they have won three Super Bowls and they've been to five. Their offensive line, they got two starters who are doubtful for this game.

Mike Wilbon (5:03)

That's bad.

Tony Kornheiser (5:03)

And Houston has a great defense. If Houston beats them, that is the biggest news out here. If Kansas City's not in the playoffs, that is the biggest news. The other reaction I have is to the Steelers Baltimore game and it's for first place in the division, but neither team has been very good this year. I'm going to take it from a different angle. If Baltimore were to beat Pittsburgh, let's say by two touchdowns or more, I think you'd hear a much bigger drumbeat as to Mike Tomlin not being in Pittsburgh next year. So I think this could be a consequential game for his career there though I don't necessarily, I know Lamar Jackson is cleared to play, but he hasn't been himself. So I don't necessarily think Baltimore's going to win.

Mike Wilbon (5:46)

That's why Baltimore, Pittsburgh is the most important of these results to come. I agree with you on Kansas City, by the way. And the times that the Chiefs fall or falter, it's almost always due to the offensive line, you know, having some issue, being vulnerable. And the offensive line seems like it'll wander into Sunday's game with some vulnerability. Tony, Lamar Jackson. You know, I've been looking at this all year, fretting over Lamar Jackson not being the nuclear Lamar Jackson we've seen for the last six or seven years. He's not that dude. Maybe it's temporary because of injury, maybe not. But Tony, that's the game where there's urgency because that window's closing. If Baltimore can't get through it now, to me, they're done. And we know Pittsburgh between Tomlin and the questions there between 87 year old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That game has some urgency to it.

Tony Kornheiser (6:42)

Now I'll just quickly mention another quarterback, Joe Burrow is going to play in Buffalo. The Cincinnati Bengals are three and oh, when he plays three and oh, maybe he can make it four and oh, let's move to college football and the conference championship games this weekend. There are four tonight, including Tulane in North Texas in the American Championship. James Madison goes tonight in the Sunbelt Championship. All those teams I just mentioned are Ranked. There are five tomorrow, including Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Indiana, byu, Texas Tech and Duke. Virginia. Wilbon, how much does this weekend still matter and which game is the most interesting to you?

Mike Wilbon (7:19)

Tony? I think the glut of games is still pretty cool. I'm going to try to watch a lot of them and maybe parts of all of them. And I'm not going to say the weekend means as much as it did 10 or 12 years ago when the conference championship seems to have more weight and urgency, like a team might fall out and not be able to make it. But I think the matchups are pretty cool. And you know what? I'm not so jaded and I'm jaded about college football in some ways, but I'm not so jaded that I'm not interested in Ohio State and Indiana. One versus two, what the hell, One versus two. It used to be that we didn't even get that matchup all the time.

Commercial Narrator (8:01)

I.

Mike Wilbon (8:02)

We didn't get those two teams at the top of the polls facing each other every single year. Ohio State, Indiana, that's what I'm most fired up for.

Tony Kornheiser (8:10)

I agree, I agree with that. You know, and even though it's your Big Ten account, I agree with that. I will say that we are not going to know how much this matters until Sunday when they have the final poll from the college football ranking committee. And then we're going to pay attention to Alabama if they lose because you want to see if a three loss Alabama team would move ahead of say, Notre Dame with two losses. And I think that's what the committee started to do by putting Alabama ahead of Notre Dame. To say we won't penalize you if you lose a conference championship because you got to a conference championship. The most consequential one other than that to me is, is Duke and Virginia because if Duke gets in, they're not getting into the playoff. Not with five losses. Even if they win now, Virginia should win. But Virginia, I think last month beat duke at Duke 34, 17. But if Duke wins, you're going to see two Group of Five teams and no ACC teams. That's my opinion anyway. That's, I believe, the way it was set up. I do.

Mike Wilbon (9:11)

No.

Mike Wilbon (9:14)

Virginia, who thought that game was going to have any juice at all.

Tony Kornheiser (9:18)

Right.

Mike Wilbon (9:18)

And Virginia should have put this away a couple of weeks ago and a half.

Tony Kornheiser (9:21)

You know what, Mike? I think it's the most impactful game, but that doesn't mean I want to see it. Let's take a break. Coming up, the World cup draw was completed this afternoon. We're going to ask Taylor Twillman to break down Team USA's early path.

Mike Wilbon (9:34)

We're also going to ask him about your boy Messi and Inter Miami's matchup against Vancouver tomorrow in the MLS Cup. I'm sure you'll be just locked in on that one.

Tony Kornheiser (9:46)

Well, no, you're Mr. Soccer. You go to the Premier League. You know the names of all the teams.

Mike Wilbon (9:51)

No, I go to the Premier League. I like going to the Premier League. Yes, I do. And World Cup. Yes, I went to World cup in Moscow.

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Tony Kornheiser (12:28)

The World cup draw was completed today and we've got the MLS cup tomorrow. So there's no better time to have with us the lead analyst for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Mr. Taylor Twellman in studio.

Taylor Twellman (12:42)

Yes, sir, in studio. And you guys aren't. Thanks for having me. Appreciate this.

Tony Kornheiser (12:47)

Yeah, well, we like you, but we don't like you that much. Okay, here we go. The Americans in group D. They will play Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of playoff C and group play. And I just got lost on that. But the larger question is, what are your thoughts on the Americans early path in the World Cup?

Taylor Twellman (13:05)

Tony? Michael, I think you can make an argument right now that this is the most favorable group in the history of the U.S. men's National Team history in the World Cup. Keep in mind, recent memory will tell you they played Paraguay, they played Australia. They beat both of those teams. Yes, they were friendlies. Yes, they were in this country, but both teams are beatable. Now, I think the playoff team that fills out the group, that may throw it a little bit of a wrinkle. Turkey is a difficult team. They haven't played Romania since 1994. But the overarching theme right now is the United States hosting a World Cup. I don't think you could have got a better group.

Mike Wilbon (13:42)

Wow, that's good to hear. All right. But let's zero in on our team, our team for a second. We had you on a few months ago. You were at the time critical of the United States team and the trajectory at the time.

Taylor Twellman (13:54)

Yep.

Mike Wilbon (13:55)

Give us an update. Taylor, are you still in that place? Do you feel better about this team? And how much of that answer deals with coaching?

Taylor Twellman (14:03)

95% of it deals with coaching, Michael. And I think I specifically remember when you asked that question a few months ago. I was begging Mauricio Pochettino to change the formation to play to the player strengths. Since he's done that, they have beaten top quality opponents. The players look more confident, the players look more comfortable now in saying that there's not a ton of games leading into the World Cup. And so when you look at the friendlies of 2026, he's going to have to maximize those opportunities to understand which Partnerships, which relationships? And he wants all over the field. But you two have asked me multiple times how confident I am within this group. The talent is there, but the coach has to push the right buttons. I'd say over the last two months, he's pushed every right button for me and I think that continues into next year.

Mike Wilbon (14:54)

Okay, that is good news for the United States team. For now. Let's broaden this out a little bit because you can't have this sort of day and not immediately start thinking about Group of Death and if there is such a thing and who it might be. And knowing as little as I do, I looked immediately at England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama and thought, is that it? Let me ask Taylor, is that it? Is there such a thing in this draw?

Taylor Twellman (15:20)

I remember, what was it, 10 years ago? We were doing the 2013, 12 years ago 2013 World cup draw and I was actually with you guys and we did a couple of SportsCenter hits. The group of Death was a lot easier to pick. The United States was with Portugal, Germany, Ghana, England, Italy, Uruguay. But that's because, Michael, there's 32 teams with 48 teams. I don't think you're wrong in the essence that Croatia, Ghana and England, all three rightfully so capable of getting out of their group. But you also got to remember, with 48 teams, if I'm not mistaken, eight third place teams go through. So the Group of Death is laid a little bit lower in my order of importance, for lack of a better way to put it. But it's more so when you win your group. And this is the most important thing I'm going to say on your show about the World Cup. England, France, Spain, Argentina. Those are the top four teams ranked in FIFA. If all four win their group, all four will not play each other until the semifinal. So the way the 48 team draw has laid out, they're rewarding the top four teams of the world. If you're successful, you, you're not going to play any of the other four. When in a 32 team World cup, those two teams would probably play in the quarterfinals.

Mike Wilbon (16:36)

All right, that leads me to a quick follow up. Are we going to see Messi? Is this a done deal? Are you believing Messi's going to play once again one final time in World cup competition?

Taylor Twellman (16:48)

I'll be shocked if he doesn't play, Michael. And listen, I'll be literally on a plane after this show going to MLS cup tomorrow where he'll lead Inter Miami at home. The point is this. Over the last four or five days. He's kind of leaked it out that he's 50, 50 in playing the World Cup. Michael, what's their group real quick? Yep. We don't even need to mention it. It's the easiest group that was drawn into the World Cup. Messi will look at that knowing that he's got to play in eight games for Argentina to win a World Cup. They now can navigate that group a little bit in rest him. I'll be stunned if Messi doesn't play for Argentina next summer.

Tony Kornheiser (17:25)

We will get you out of here on this. And we're back to Lionel Messi now because it is the MLS Cup. It's tomorrow Vancouver at Lionel Messi and the rest of Inter Miami. What do you think of this matchup you're going to call it?

Taylor Twellman (17:37)

It's one of the best matchups, Tony, because Vancouver beat Miami twice this season. So around the world, everyone's going to be watching the game. Especially expecting Messi to win a trophy. Rightfully so. He's the greatest of all time. But Vancouver has already beat them twice. But for Lionel Messi at age 38 to have 61 goal contributions in regular season, in the playoffs. Guys, I've heard you many a times talking about the Muhammad Ali's, the Michael Jordans, the Tiger Woods. I'm seeing it firsthand. I think the next 10, 15, 20 years of my life, I'll be telling my kids and grandkids that I was in the building to see the best ever.

Tony Kornheiser (18:16)

Thank you, Taylor. It's a pleasure to have. You should have worn pink, but thank you. I wore pants.

Taylor Twellman (18:21)

Did you, Michael?

Mike Wilbon (18:23)

Yes.

Taylor Twellman (18:23)

Okay. Tony. Yes.

Tony Kornheiser (18:26)

I have pants. I have pants. He took one last break.

Tony Kornheiser (18:32)

Our thoughts on how LeBron's streak of scoring at least 10 points per game came to an end.

Mike Wilbon (18:37)

And Penn State might have finally convinced somebody, anybody, to take their head coaching job.

Tony Kornheiser (18:44)

I'm not our soccer guy. Wilbon. You're our soccer guy.

Mike Wilbon (18:47)

But Taylor Cuomo is a great guy.

Tony Kornheiser (18:49)

No, we have our soccer guy. He's a great guest.

Mike Wilbon (18:51)

Does this mean Ronaldo wants to play? Has he made an announcement? Is he playing too?

Tony Kornheiser (18:58)

No, he's going to announce that he's got two names now. And not just Ronaldo.

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Tony Kornheiser (20:29)

Happy time people. Happy 34th birthday. Christian Yelich, the Milwaukee brewers designated hitter, had 29 home runs, 103 RBI, batted.264 this past season on the team with the best record in baseball, but the brewers were swept in the NLCS by the Dodgers after beating the Cubs in a divisional series. Yelich was drafted by The Marlins in 2010, played five seasons in Miami. He was the then dealt to Milwaukee in 2018, where he immediately won the National League MVP. That year, Yellich won the batting title, hitting.326, 36 home runs and a career high 110 RBI. The following year, Yellich had a career high 44 homers, a league leading.329 batting average and a major league leading 1.100 OPS. And he didn't win the MVP Cody Bellinger did for the Dodgers.

Mike Wilbon (21:20)

Yeah, he probably should have won his second mvp, Tony. And is it possible, as great as those numbers are, and as great as Yelich is that he's underrated. And I guess that would be because he plays in Milwaukee now and other people playing more glamorous spots. But I'll take Yellich in my lineup anytime. Anytime.

Tony Kornheiser (21:38)

Yeah, me. Me too. But I don't think he's underrated. I think he's had a very good career. Not hall of Fame, but a very good career career. Happy Anniversary. Troy Polamalu on this day 15 years ago, with Pittsburgh trailing Baltimore by four points late in the Game. The Steelers safety came from the blind side and executed textbook strip sack of Joe Flacco. Pittsburgh capitalized on that turnover, winning the game and clinching the AFC north on their way to a Super bowl run. These two rivals meet this Sunday. As we've discussed though, neither looks like a Super bowl contender now after being a first round pick in 2003, Palomalo played all 12 seasons of his NFL career in Pittsburgh where he was a two time Super bowl champion. In 2010, he was Defensive Player of the Year and four times he was First Team All Pro. Palomalu is in the hall of Fame and now he does head and shoulders commercials with Patrick Mahomes.

Mike Wilbon (22:30)

Yeah, I mean, Palomalu must have a great agent because, you know, I mean, how many defensive players wind up doing commercials at all? And Paola Malu is on more than one. I think he's on more than that one. So good for him.

Tony Kornheiser (22:44)

Yeah, I would say more than having a great agent. He has great hair and that's why he's in it. And that's why you and I are not. Happy trails to LeBron's double digit point streak. It ended last night at 1,297 games as LeBron scored just eight points in a win over the Raptors. LeBron had the ball in his hands and could have taken the shot to extend the streak, but instead passed it to Rui Hachimura, who buried the game, winning three at the buzzer. LeBron made the pass as he has done throughout his career. He has made shots, but he has always made the pass. When asked for his thoughts about the streak ending, LeBron said, quote, none. We won, unquote. I thought that was classy. The streak went nearly 400 games longer than the second longest streak by some fella named Michael Jordan.

Mike Wilbon (23:29)

Yeah, I want to dig into that Testament today from NASCAR from Michael Jordan later on. Tony LeBron always makes the right play. He made the right play when he passed a Danielle Marshall 109 years ago. And people question that, whether it's the shot, the pass, the block from chasing behind LeBron James has been a lifetime making the right play.

Tony Kornheiser (23:52)

It's almost 1300 games in a row. That's more games than anybody else has played.

Mike Wilbon (23:57)

Just about amazing.

Tony Kornheiser (23:58)

Let's go to the big finish. Penn State is closing in on Iowa State's Matt Campbell as its new head football coach. Is that a good hire?

Mike Wilbon (24:06)

He's a three time Big 12 coach of the year. Good record at Iowa State, which is a tough place. It seems like it Jaden Daniels. Your boy will return for the Commanders while Kyler Murray of the Cardinals is out for the season. What's the bigger deal?

Tony Kornheiser (24:22)

Well, the bigger deal is Jaden Daniels. Because he's playing. He's not sitting out. I'm surprised. I didn't think they'd put him back in. I really didn't. Connor McDavid had a hat trick and an assist as the Oilers beat the Kraken. Is that significant?

Mike Wilbon (24:35)

Not really. The Oilers are 12, 11 and 5. That's more important. That part about the Oilers, not McDavid's score. Rory whiffed on a shot but still made the cut at the Aussie Open. You impressed with that?

Tony Kornheiser (24:48)

I can relate to one part of it. The whiffing not making the cut at the Australian Open. Last one. The Thunder go for their 14th win in a row tonight. Do you like their chances?

Mike Wilbon (24:57)

I do. But when Anthony Davis is in that Mavericks lineup, they're better. I'm just saying.

Tony Kornheiser (25:04)

We are out of time. We will try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheim.

Mike Wilbon (25:09)

I'm Mike Lobon. Have a great weekend, knucklehead.

Commercial Narrator (25:12)

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