PTI Podcast Episode Summary
Podcast: Pardon the Interruption (PTI)
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Date: December 13, 2025
Title/Focus: Is Indiana's Mendoza a lock to win the Heisman?
Episode Overview
In this episode, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon break down the hottest stories in sports leading into the weekend. The discussion centers around Fernando Mendoza’s odds to win the Heisman Trophy, significant NFL matchups with playoff implications, Lane Kiffin’s high-drama SEC return, Lindsey Vonn’s astonishing downhill skiing comeback, and the struggles of the aging LA Clippers. The show’s trademark banter, strong opinions, and deep institutional sports knowledge are front and center.
Main Discussion Topics & Insights
1. NFL Recap & Todd Bowles' Postgame Comments
- [01:07-04:20]
- Kornheiser details Atlanta’s comeback win over Tampa Bay, highlighting the Falcons scoring 15 points in the last 9:37, knocking Tampa from first place.
- Tony plays Todd Bowles’ scathing postgame speech calling player effort “inexcusable.”
- Wilbon’s reaction: Coaches have three possible outcomes calling out players: the team responds, the coach loses the locker room, or the coach gets fired. “Two out of the three aren’t good.” (02:54, Mike Wilbon)
- Kornheiser doesn’t see Bowles lasting if results don’t improve but acknowledges Tampa can still win their division by beating Carolina twice. The team's frequent collapses are labeled "bad losses."
2. NFL Week Preview—Most Intriguing Matchups
- [04:42-08:05]
- Kornheiser is most interested in Seattle vs. the Colts for the possible return of 44-year-old Philip Rivers: “If he plays… I’m going to watch like you’d watch a horror movie.” (05:26, Tony Kornheiser)
- Most consequential games: Bills at Patriots (can Buffalo finally reach the Super Bowl?) and Rams vs. Lions (“The whole of that team is not as good as the sum of the parts.” – 06:28, Tony Kornheiser).
- Wilbon highlights Bears vs. Browns (focus on Miles Garrett’s sack record) and Packers (“Cheeseheads”) at Denver, noting Denver’s extraordinary home streak and the importance for playoff seeding.
- Both agree: Kansas City Chiefs are effectively out; “Can you imagine the playoffs without Patrick Mahomes?” (08:00, Tony Kornheiser)
3. Heisman Trophy—Is Mendoza a Lock?
- [08:05-11:18]
- Finalists: Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame), Julian Saan (Ohio State).
- Wilbon: “It just seems to me…Mendoza, he’s the guy who’s the quarterback of the only undefeated team.” (08:28, Mike Wilbon)
- Recalls classic Heisman years with Elway, Herschel Walker, Dickerson, Marcus Allen, McMahon, Marino, arguing this year isn’t quite at that level.
- Tony’s take: Mendoza’s “Heisman moment” was the comebacker at Penn State. Indiana’s historic undefeated season, Big Ten title, and first Rose Bowl since 1968 make Mendoza his clear pick (“You reward Signetti [coach], you reward Mendoza by giving him the Heisman.” – 10:30, Tony Kornheiser).
- Both acknowledge strong cases for other finalists, especially Pavia’s individual numbers and Love’s touchdowns; neither enthusiastic about Julian Saan, OSU’s candidate.
4. College Football—Lane Kiffin Returns to Ole Miss
- [12:44-14:53]
- Kornheiser: “It is spectacular. It almost feels like the SEC arranged this. Because they did.” (12:53, Tony Kornheiser)
- The storyline of Kiffin (now at LSU) returning to face Ole Miss in the SEC opener is declared the “most emotional game in modern Ole Miss history” (14:15, Mike Wilbon).
- Both applaud SEC scheduling for maximizing drama and narrative, poking fun at easy non-conference games (“They’re not playing the Citadel in this one, they’re playing each other.” – 14:34, Tony Kornheiser)
5. Lindsey Vonn’s Downhill Comeback at Age 41
- [14:55-16:50]
- Kornheiser compares Vonn’s feat to “Rivers-like” comeback: “41 in skiing may be older than 44 in football.” (14:59, Tony Kornheiser)
- Wilbon calls her “bionic” due to her titanium knees, marvels at advances in sports medicine enabling comebacks.
- Both marvel at the courage and daredevil nature of downhill skiers (“They appear to be going 400 miles an hour on a solid sheet of ice… every once in a while, they fall off the mountain.” – 16:23, Tony Kornheiser)
6. NBA—Clippers’ Inbound Blunder and Aging Teams
- [22:03-23:00]
- Recap of Clippers’ late-game botch (stepping over the line on inbound), season’s collapse (“have lost 8 out of 9”).
- Kornheiser: “There is something when a team has aged, not when it is aging...this group is not coming back to win.” (22:49, Tony Kornheiser)
- Wilbon calls for blowing up and starting over.
7. Quick Hits / “The Big Finish”
- TJ Watt’s Recovery – Hopes he doesn’t attempt to play after a collapsed lung (23:10).
- Belichick Coaching Moves – Firing OCs seen as a sign he’ll return (23:34).
- Curry vs. Wembanyama Returns – Both important; Warriors need Curry badly (23:49).
- Oilers-Penguins Goalie Trade – Fresh scenery praised (24:07).
- Army-Navy Game – Both predict a Navy win (24:15).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Todd Bowles postgame speech:
"Two out of the three aren’t good."
— Mike Wilbon (02:54) -
On Philip Rivers potentially starting:
"If he plays that game, I’m gonna watch… like you’re watching a horror movie."
— Tony Kornheiser (05:26) -
On the Heisman race:
“He’s the guy who’s the quarterback of the only undefeated team.”
— Mike Wilbon (08:28) -
On Indiana’s football season:
“They won the Big Ten outright for the first time since 1945. They have a playoff game in the Rose Bowl… first time since 1968.”
— Tony Kornheiser (10:14) -
On SEC drama:
"It almost feels like the SEC arranged this. Because they did."
— Tony Kornheiser (12:53) -
On Lindsey Vonn’s comeback:
“She’s got like titanium knees...the nerve, the guts that it takes, actual courage is amazing.”
— Mike Wilbon (15:48) -
On Clippers aging:
“There is something when a team has aged, not when it is aging… this group is not coming back to win.”
— Tony Kornheiser (22:49)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:07 – NFL Thursday recap, Todd Bowles' rant
- 04:42 – NFL weekend preview: key matchups
- 08:05 – Heisman Trophy preview and predictions
- 12:44 – Lane Kiffin SEC return drama
- 14:55 – Lindsey Vonn’s victory at 41
- 22:03 – Clippers' inbound mess and team aging
- 23:10-24:25 – “The Big Finish” (quick sports news hits)
Tone & Language
- Lively, irreverent, opinionated banter—trademark PTI.
- Frequent good-natured ribbing and references to decades of sports reporting.
- Mix of nostalgia and sharp, up-to-the-minute takes.
Conclusion
This PTI episode is a quintessential mix of informed hot takes, historic context, and playful debate. Tony and Mike make a strong case for Fernando Mendoza as a deserving Heisman favorite, analyze pivotal NFL matchups, and bring humor and depth to stories from pro basketball to international skiing. The episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting insight that combines today’s headlines with the depth of decades-long sports perspective.