Lane Kiffin to LSU! Right Call or BIG Mistake?

Summary

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PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Lane Kiffin to LSU! Right Call or BIG Mistake?
Original Air Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon (ESPN)

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Episode Theme

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon debate the day’s hottest sports headlines, with a particular focus on Lane Kiffin’s controversial departure from Ole Miss to LSU, NFL surprises from the weekend, and rapid-fire reactions to other major stories. The episode is marked by spirited disagreement, especially around the ethics and impact of high-profile coaching moves in college football.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NFL Weekend Surprises

Segment Start: [00:48]

Carolina Panthers Upset the Rams

• Wilbon: Not surprised by either the Panthers’ or Texans’ wins; he picked both. Still, he concedes the Panthers’ victory is more shocking because the Rams were on a six-game win streak.
  • “Carolina’s done this a few times now, five and one after losses, best record in the NFL.” [01:24]
• Tony: Admits he underestimated both the Panthers as a team and Bryce Young (“I thought he was too small for the league. He’s not.” [02:12]).
• Both agree Carolina’s dramatic improvement from previous seasons is the weekend’s biggest shock.

Texans Over Colts

• Tony: Indianapolis is fading, Jonathan Taylor isn’t the same, and Houston’s been winning with a backup QB.
• “Houston has now won four in a row, three of them with a backup quarterback. So what happened yesterday is CJ Stroud made a good team. Better.” [02:40]

Rams’ Collapse

• Tony: Disbelief at Matthew Stafford’s sudden slump—“Twice in the first quarter…and then there’s that fumble late, that is shocking to me.” [03:27]
• Wilbon: “Nobody in this league this year is so good that we just presume…Did they just keep winning?” [03:39]

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2. Extended Holiday NFL Shocks

Segment Start: [03:52]

Results

• Cowboys beat Chiefs (Dak throws for 320+ yards)
• Bengals force 5 turnovers, beat Ravens
• Bears run over the Eagles

Most Surprising Result?

• Tony: Bears at #1 seed in the NFC is the “biggest surprise.” He highlights the Bears’ improvement from preseason expectations: “Nobody saw this coming, especially you who said before the season we could start out 0 and 5.” [04:25]

• Wilbon: Pushes back—Bears had been underrated all week, defends their strength (“They went into Philly and kicked their you know what. So I don’t want to hear about Philly’s offense. We ran through Philly’s defense.” [06:42])

• Tony: Focuses on Dallas—if they also beat Detroit, it’s a statement: “When Jerry Jones dumped Micah Parsons, everybody in the world said they won’t win another game. He has destroyed the team…And now their defense, while not great, is adequate.” [06:51]

• Wilbon: Claims Detroit will “stuff your Dallas Cowboys—not my Dallas Cowboys.” [07:27]

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3. Lane Kiffin Leaves Ole Miss for LSU – Right Call or Big Mistake?

Segment Start: [08:03]

The Move and Immediate Fallout

• Kiffin jumps from (11–1) Ole Miss to LSU, a rival. Ole Miss bars him from coaching in the playoffs, despite his wishes.
• Wilbon: Absolute that both sides made the right choice—Kiffin can leave, but must go immediately.
  • “This is an acrimonious divorce. Get out. You are not going to spend the next six weeks…splitting your time, your emotions, your devotion and your loyalty.” [08:23]
• “Anybody who thinks that LSU’s people…are going to go on hiatus to Cancun for the next six weeks with waiting for Lane Kiffin is a fool…Get out of Oxford.” [08:45]

Tony’s Minority View

• Tony: Kiffin should finish the playoff run for Ole Miss:
  • “I believe their best chance to win is with Lane Kiffin…if this guy loses, it’s going to be the greatest regret in Mississippi’s career. So yes, I’m in the minority, but I would let him coach.” [10:18]
• Acknowledges why Ole Miss hates Kiffin (“He didn’t just leave for another school…he left for another school across the street.” [09:36]).
• Warns of losing Kiffin’s coaching edge at the most critical moment in school history.

Wilbon’s ‘No-way’ Retort

• Recognizes Kiffin’s coaching skill but questions his character:
  • “Lane Kiffin has developed…into a great coach…He’s also a louse.” [10:54]
  • “He’s a serial lever. That’s what he does. The greatest coach in college football history…threw Lane Kiffin out with a week to go before a playoff game. What does that tell you?” [11:02]
• Tony wonders about the wisdom of joining a program (LSU) that quickly fires even national champions.

Memorable Exchange

• Tony: “Would you want Lane Kiffin to coach Northwestern?” [12:07]
• Wilbon: “Yes. Yes.” [12:09]
• Tony: “There we go.”
• Wilbon: “Is he a louse?”
• Tony: “That’s you.”

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4. Broncos, Steelers, and NFL Email Bag

Segment Start: [14:08]

Broncos: Still Elite?

• Wilbon: More confident after edging the Commanders in OT. Praises defense and Bo Nix. [14:20]
• Tony: Keeps some confidence but notes “I lose a little bit of confidence in every team every week…every team that we think is good seems to lose.” [15:02]

Steelers Fans Chants to Fire Tomlin

• Tony: Fans live in the moment; Steelers have been bad lately (“They allowed…249 yards, most in 50 years allowed by the Steelers at home.” [16:45]).
• Emphasizes Tomlin’s 19 non-losing seasons, but lately “has not won a playoff game…since 2016.”
• Wilbon: Outraged at Steelers fans: “It’s just unseemly…Pittsburgh doesn’t do this. Stupid.” [17:21]
• Adds, “Mike Tomlin should just…say, you know what? There’s 15 other franchises that’ll have me at least…maybe it’s time.” [17:43]

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5. Highlights, Notable Quotes & Pop Culture Moments

On Lane Kiffin

• Wilbon: “He’s a serial lever. That’s what he does.” [11:01]
• Tony: “They are in the playoffs for the first time…One of the reasons they’re in the playoffs is because Lane Kiffin coached them into the playoffs. He’s a great coach.” [09:58]

On the NFL Parity

• Tony: “There’s either no great team or there’s 15 good ones.” [03:49]

On Bears’ Sudden Rise

• Tony: “Nobody saw this coming, especially you who said before the season we could start out 0 and 5.” [04:25]
• Wilbon: “They went into Philly and kicked their you know what.” [06:42]

On Steelers Fans

• Wilbon: “It’s just unseemly for Steelers fans to chant fire Tomlin…Pittsburgh doesn’t do this. Stupid.” [17:21]

On Coaching Decisions

• Tony: “If this guy loses, it’s going to be the greatest regret in Mississippi’s career. So yes, I’m in the minority, but I would let him coach.” [10:34]
• Wilbon (about hiring Kiffin): “I want the opposite of a louse.” [24:42]

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6. Rapid Fire Segment:

Segment Start: [23:28]

• Pat Fitzgerald to Michigan State? Wilbon: “He can come back. That’s fine.” [23:33]
• Kentucky fires Mark Stoops—standard in today’s CFB climate.
• Sam Darnold leads Seahawks over Vikings; both unimpressed.
• Atlanta Falcons crumbling; Miami Dolphins coach possibly saving his job.
• Monday Night Football predictions: no upset. [24:25]

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7. Memorable Happy Time Segment

Start: [20:28]

• Bo Jackson’s unmatched two-sport stardom ([21:04])
• Michael Vick’s legendary rushing game ([21:26])
• Kyle Palmieri’s toughness after ACL tear ([22:31]), with Wilbon raving about hockey players’ grit.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------|-----------| | NFL Weekend Shockers (Panthers, Texans) | 00:48–03:47 | | Extended Holiday NFL surprises | 03:52–08:03 | | Lane Kiffin to LSU debate | 08:03–12:13 | | Broncos/Steelers Email Segment | 14:08–18:00 | | Rapid Fire/Happy Time | 20:28–24:25 |

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Tone & Style

The exchange throughout is witty and adversarial—classic PTI—marked by Tony’s skepticism and Wilbon’s die-hard opinions. Both lean into their roles as colleagues who love to needle each other and rarely let sports figures off the hook.

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For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This PTI episode delivers fast-paced, passionate debate on college football’s biggest coaching drama, the unpredictable NFL landscape, and the merciless culture of fan-driven sports. Heavy on personality, banter, and strong opinions, the episode is must-see/listen for followers of Lane Kiffin, NFL parity, and classic Kornheiser–Wilbon repartee.

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Notable Quotes by Segment and Speaker

• On Lane Kiffin:
  • Wilbon: “He’s a serial lever. That’s what he does.” [11:01]
  • Tony: “I believe their best chance to win is with Lane Kiffin. And I believe this other guy…if and when he loses…everybody in that administration” will regret it. [10:34]
• On NFL Surprises:
  • Tony: “There’s either no great team or there’s 15 good ones.” [03:49]
• On Steelers fans:
  • Wilbon: “It’s just unseemly for Steelers fans to chant fire Tomlin…Stupid.” [17:21]
• On Bears:
  • Tony: “You said before the season we could start out 0 and 5. Beating the Eagles is impressive.” [04:25]
  • Wilbon: “They went into Philly and kicked their you know what.” [06:42]

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Final Impressions

A classic PTI installment—sharp, entertaining, and loaded with memorable one-liners. The Kiffin segment alone is worth the listen for its insight into coaching loyalty, college football culture, and why sometimes, a louse is what you need to win (unless you’re Wilbon).

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption but I'm Mike Wilbon. We are back from Thanksgiving break. Tony, how'd you spend it?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I am Tony Kornheiser. I thought about leaving for lsu, but I'm staying here.

[Mike Wilbon]

That could have gone differently. It could have been around if you mentioned you were leaving for somewhere else.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But as I heard someone say, I preyed on it.

[Mike Wilbon]

And that's what happened.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Welcome to PTI boys and girls. In today's episode, Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss for lsu. Wilbon's Bears run over the Eagles and the Broncos barely beat the command. But we begin today with yesterday's NFL action. There were two results that raised an eyebrow or two. One was the Carolina Panthers beating Los Angeles Rams 31 28, which opened the door to the number one seed in the NFC. To your Bears, Wilbon. The other was the Houston Texans beating the Indianapolis colts in Indy 2016. Wilbon, which of these results was the bigger surprise?

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, neither of these was actually a surprise to me because in my.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Pool you had them both.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And I'm sitting in.

[Mike Wilbon]

Carolina shocked you yesterday. But it's still Carolina because even as I'm watching it and sort of cheering for it to happen. Not that I hate the Rams. That's an upset. The Rams had won six in a row. They had gone into the week. They started the holiday weekend with everybody proclaiming they were the best team in football, if there was such a thing. Tony, I didn't think that about Houston and Indy, but I thought that was a toss up a pick em going into the day. But when you see Carolina, look, Carolina's done this a few times now, five and one after losses, which is the best record in the NFL.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is that right? Carolina?

[Mike Wilbon]

Carolina.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know I have. Look, I've been sleeping, as they say on Carolina because I thought they stunk.

[Mike Wilbon]

Most people have been.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I've been sleeping too, on their quarterback, Bryce Young, who I thought was too small for the league. He's not too small for the league.

[Mike Wilbon]

How about those two fourth down plays when he tosses touchdowns?

[Tony Kornheiser]

And the coach of that team clearly knows what he's doing. Did they run the ball. They ran the ball like 40 times. 40 times. I don't know how they lost to the Saints, but they have now beaten Green Bay and the rams. They are 7 and 6. They were 4 and 13 last year, 2 and 15 the year before. So much like New England, they've come out of nowhere. That is the biggest surprise. I could try to make the case on Houston beating Indianapolis in Indy, but you also have to say that Indianapolis has now lost three out of four. They appear to be fading. And Jonathan Taylor's not getting the chunk yards that he got before. He had, what, 85 yards on 21 carries. And Daniel Jones played on a broken leg, which is not ideal. It's not ideal in that situation. Houston has now won four in a row, three of them with a backup quarterback. So what happened yesterday is CJ Stroud made a good team. Better. But yes, the answer is the Rams. As you know, I had Matthew Stafford as the MVP. He was 29. Touchdowns, no interceptions in his most.

[Mike Wilbon]

At some point, both the streak, six in a row and that crazy streak of touchdowns without interceptions, 29 and 0 gotta come to an end.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Twice in the first quarter.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What I'm saying to you is when that happens twice in the first quarter and then there's that fumble late, that critical fumble late, that is shocking to me. I expected them to win. Expected.

[Mike Wilbon]

Nobody in this league this year is so good that we just presume correctly. Did they just keep winning?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. Right?

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There's either no great team or there's 15 good ones.

[Mike Wilbon]

Scare me about my situation pretty soon. Let's move from Sunday's surprises to those from the extended holiday weekend. Dak threw for 320 yards.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Give him his money.

[Mike Wilbon]

As the Cowboys top the Chiefs. The Bengals last place defense forced the Ravens into five turnovers as Cincinnati beat Baltimore in Joe Burrow's return. And the Bears ran over and through the heavily booed and heavily favored Eagles. Maybe it was heavily favored and heavily booed. Tony, which of these results most surprised you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

So the biggest surprise is that the Bears at the moment are the number one seed in the nfc. Nobody saw this coming, especially you who said before the season we could start out 0 and 5. Beating the Eagles is impressive. Running on them is impressive. But you know there's something wrong with the Eagles right now. They have no offense.

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They have no Saquon Barkley. They are not. So the reason that that is not the biggest surprise is because the Bears are nine and three. I mean, you cannot just automatically assume that they're not going to win that game. A bigger surprise is Cincinnati beating Baltimore. Joe Burrow essentially came out of a hospital bed and beat this team, beat practice. He threw the ball 45, 46 times. He had three touchdowns, two touchdowns, rather. On the other side, Lamar Jackson in the last three games has no touchdown passes. He has three interceptions. He has two fumbles lost and he's been sacked eight times. Weeks ago you said on this air you thought he had lost a step. In the interim, he seems to have lost another step. Yeah, but the biggest surprise is the Dallas Cowboys. Let's be honest about that. No, it's.

[Mike Wilbon]

They were proclaimed by every show on.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This network in four the span of five days. They now beat the two teams that were in the super bowl last year, the Eagles and the Chiefs. And Mike, they may have knocked the Chiefs out of the playoffs.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, we're going to see more about the Chiefs. Even more. I mean this, the, the game's coming up this weekend, but that's a few days away. Let me go back to the, to this weekend, Tony. It was the Bears because I, I, I've lived with this intimately. Nobody thought the Bears were any damn.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Good at the beginning of the year.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, nobody thought this week. Oh, because if you listen to all the shows coming out of the previous Sunday into Monday, they all people proclaimed hall of Famers, people with gold jackets.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They were 8 and 3 2. The Bears are good going into this game. They were.

[Mike Wilbon]

Every one of those games was by a hangnail, something that shouldn't have happened.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what Kansas City did last year when they were 11 0. They were 11 and 0 in one score game.

[Mike Wilbon]

If they were against teams that were threats, the Bears have beaten some last place.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You're just promoting the Bears because they're your team.

[Mike Wilbon]

Look, look, look, I'm scared about this whole thing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Of course you are.

[Mike Wilbon]

Because it seems like it was scared.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're going into Green Bay, you're scared.

[Mike Wilbon]

They went into Philly and kicked their you know what. So I don't want to hear about Philly's offense. We ran through Philly's defense.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I just want to talk about Dallas for a second. I think you give them short shrift. When Jerry Jones dumped Micah Parsons, everybody in the world said they won't win another game. He has destroyed the team. You, among others. And everybody said it. Well, Jerry traded for a couple of defenders too.

[Mike Wilbon]

He did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And now their defense, while not great, is adequate. And their offense is more than adequate because Dak Prescott throwing to CD Lamb and George Pickens. That's a threat every place on the field. What if they beat Detroit this week? What if they go through those three teams in a row? What would you think then?

[Mike Wilbon]

I'll be shocked. They would threaten the Eagles for the division and I'd be shocked at that. Let me just start saying stuff now, since every other network show just sits around proclaiming crazy stuff all week long, usually starting on Monday, let me proclaim something. The Detroit Lions are going to stuff your Dallas Cowboys, not my Dallas Cows.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, you're cheering for him, not cheering for them.

[Mike Wilbon]

You think they can go?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm asking you. I'm asking you to consider what they have done lately. What they have done lately.

[Mike Wilbon]

That five day stretch was tremendous. Thursday night in Detroit beat down.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's move to the biggest story in college football this past weekend. Lane Kiffin jumping from Ole Miss to conference rival LSU. Ole Miss is 111 and surely headed for the college playoffs. Ole Miss has barred Kiffin from coaching this team in the playoffs even though Kiffin publicly said he wants to. Ole Miss has said, tell it, walkin' pal. Wilbon, what do you make of everyone's decisions here?

[Mike Wilbon]

Lane Kiffin has every right to go to LSU or wherever he wants to work. And Mississippi had better say, get the hell out. This is an acrimonious divorce. Get out. You are not going to spend the next six weeks if you go that far, because you can win in the playoffs.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Splitting your time, your emotions, your devotion and your loyalty between LSU and Mississippi. Because anybody who thinks that LSU's people, their football program is going to go on hiatus to Cancun for the next six weeks with waiting for Lane Kiffin is a fool. Lane Kiffin's loyalties this second forward are to lsu. Get out of Oxford.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So this is what I love about the show because we're going to have a real disagreement here and I'm going to take some time here. I'm in the minority. I believe that he should coach this team in the playoffs. I believe that. I believe that Ole Miss should look short term and I think they're looking long term. I understand. I understand why they hate him. I understand why they don't want him on campus. He didn't just leave for another school. He left for another school. Across the street. Yes, across the street. So I understand that they hate him with the ardor of a thousand sons. All right. I understand being afraid of Lane Kiffin stealing your players, which he will do.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Stealing your coaches, which he will do.

[Mike Wilbon]

During the week while they're supposed to be prepping for a playoff game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I understand that. And Lane Kiffin basically said to Mississippi, I wouldn't stay here for all the money in the world because they were.

[Mike Wilbon]

Going to give him all the money.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, but they are in the playoffs for the first time. They haven't won anything in like 60 years. One of the reasons they're in the playoffs is because Lane Kiffin coached them into the playoffs. He's a great coach. I believe their best chance to win is with Lane Kiffin. And I believe this other guy if and when he loses, because I don't think he's Steve Fisher. I don't think it's the same.

[Mike Wilbon]

I was going to say, I don't think you're on record having praised Bo Schim back with the Devins, because to telling.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't think Bill Freeter is Lane Kiffin. I think Lane Kiffin is a better coach than that. And I think if this guy loses, it's going to be the greatest regret in Mississippi's career. Everybody in that administration. So, yes, I'm in the minority, but I would let him coach.

[Mike Wilbon]

Not only would I not let him coach, I would have run him out straight from the press conference. This is Lane Kiffin's move. Let me say two things. More than one thing can be true. Lane Kiffin has developed, matured into, become a great coach, college football coach. He's also a louse.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's you.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, no, no, no. Lane Kiffin.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is that okay?

[Mike Wilbon]

Because he's done this. He's a serial lever. That's what he does. The greatest coach in college football history, probably. Okay, a guy at Alabama. He threw Lane Kiffin out with a week to go before a playoff game. What does that tell you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Here's the. The only other thing that. That is irksome to me in this.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's a louse.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I would not. Well, that's your opinion. I would not. I don't know. I would not have. I would not have picked LSU over Florida. Not me, because LSU has a history of firing. I wouldn't pick national champion coaches.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know who's in the playoffs right now, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Les Miles.

[Mike Wilbon]

Mississippi's in the playoff. He's leaving to go to a place that is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's not in the playoffs. Yeah, it isn't in the playoffs. And also the governor is involved. It just. It seems somewhat dicey to me. But I have a different opinion about Lane, Kevin. And obviously you don't disagree with me.

[Mike Wilbon]

About how great a coach. He is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, I like that part. I don't know him personally. Let's take a break. When we come back, the Broncos gained a win last night, but did they lose some of our confidence?

[Mike Wilbon]

And some Steelers fans have seen enough. What could that mean for Mike?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Would you want Lane Kiffin to coach Northwestern?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes. Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There we go.

[Mike Wilbon]

Is he a louse?

[Show Host/Producer]

Pardon the Interruption is presented by Grey Goose. Make time. Wait. Please enjoy responsibly. Part of happy hour.

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[Show Host/Producer]

Welcome back to Pardon the Interruption presented by Grey Goose. Part of happy hour.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's time to find out what the email is dragged in. I will get the first one and I need glasses because this print is very small.

[Mike Wilbon]

This one is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you have more or less confidence in the Broncos as a number one seed after they edge the commanders in.

[Mike Wilbon]

Overtime more if we're talking about complimentary football, they're in the top five in all the defensive categories that matter and they've got a really good offense. And I don't have the questions about Bo Knicks that others seem to openly have. I don't get why people are still finding something to be critical when it comes to Bo Knicks. And so last night they played a tough game. It was overtime game on the road in Washington. No, this does not diminish what I think of the Broncos. They went on the road, they came up with a clutch play to prevent losing that nice batted ball. They're a team that is on a historic pace for sacks allowed. They got a really fine defense in every way imaginable.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

What do they want?

[Tony Kornheiser]

So let me first say that I really love the ending of that game. And it seemed to me that Washington had about two or three touchdowns called back because of penalties. So big ups to Marcus Mariota for hanging in there. And of course they went for two cuz they're three and eight at that point. What is three, eight and one, what does that do? So of course I go for two. As to this particular question, I'm gonna echo something that you have said for a couple of weeks. I lose a little bit of confidence in every team every week. Cuz every team that we think is good seems to lose. As soon as we say they are good, they lose. So I lose a little bit of confidence. Why I retain confidence in the Broncos is cause they play this way every week. They have been behind in every single game.

[Mike Wilbon]

Sean Kaden pointed that out last year.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And they've won 10 of them. So they know how to play these sorts of games.

[Mike Wilbon]

They do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's not. You don't have to go out and beat somebody by 30, you gotta beat them by three. That's the important part.

[Mike Wilbon]

If we're doing the Anthony I. Kornheiser power rankings right now in the afc, do you have Denver number one?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm waiting to see New England play a good team. Okay. Well no, not tonight. Not getting a good team. Not tonight. No, no, not tonight. I'm waiting to see that.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right, let's see what we got going on here. What's your reaction to Steelers fans chanting fire Tomlin during the Steelers home loss to the Bills?

[Tony Kornheiser]

So my reaction is that that is pretty much what fans do. Fans do not look backwards into the glory years. Fans look at the moment and at the moment the Steelers are actually pretty lousy. They allowed unbelievable numbers here. Buffalo 51 carries, 249 yards, most in.

[Mike Wilbon]

50 years allowed by the Steelers at home.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I've said this to you for a while. The Steelers haven't passed the eye test all year. They haven't. Mike Tomlin, I could say to their fans, Mike Tomlin hasn't had a losing season in 19 season. That's amazing. They will say, what has he done.

[Mike Wilbon]

For us lately in the last 10?

[Tony Kornheiser]

And lately he has not won a playoff game, I think, since 2016. 06 since that. Mike Tomlin's not going to get fired in the same way. John Harbaugh is not going to get fired. No, they're not.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, but these days, I don't put anything past anybody.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Mike Tomlin could want to leave if he wants to leave. There are about 25 teams in the league that would say, come over here. Including the Giants. That's true. Including the Giants.

[Mike Wilbon]

But the Steelers, first of all, it's just unseemly for Steelers fans to chant, fire Tomlins.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really.

[Mike Wilbon]

Because if they fire him and he goes somewhere else, I will spend my entire life. My second hardest route on Sunday after the Bears, for the Bears, would be to root against Pittsburgh and whoever they bring in. Because I just think fans of almost all franchises, Pittsburgh doesn't do this. Stupid.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Pittsburgh doesn't do this.

[Mike Wilbon]

This is beneath Steelers fans. Except apparently it isn't. And Mike Tomlin should just, you know, take the temperature and say, you know what? There's 15 other franchises that'll have me at least. And by the way, at least 15, by the way, it could be time. It could be signed. Just part company.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

It doesn't have to. It could be like Andy Reid, who had a Super bowl run in Philadelphia.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Didn'T win it, but got better.

[Mike Wilbon]

Second stop, got even better.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Maybe that's possible. What's up?

[Mike Wilbon]

From I. Tom.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, enough email. Let's take one last break. Still to come, Kyle Palmieri tears his ACL but does something remarkable as he skates off.

[Mike Wilbon]

And Max Brosmer makes the Vikings miss Sam Darnold a lot.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That was rough.

[Mike Wilbon]

How stupid do the Vikings look?

[Tony Kornheiser]

They don't look smart.

[Mike Wilbon]

They don't look stupid.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They look stupid. Yeah, they do.

[Mike Wilbon]

They threw away a veteran quarterback who won 14 last year.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, it was the last two that bothered them, apparently, and they let him go.

[Mike Wilbon]

How does last 2, 4, 6, 8. How's that working out?

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[Show Host/Producer]

Pardon the Interruption is presented by Grey Goose. Make time wait. Please enjoy responsibly. Part of Happy hour and in part by UFC 323 Saturday buy now at espnplus.com PPV Happy time people.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy belated 63rd birthday Bo Jackson this was yesterday. Bo Jackson may be the greatest professional athlete ever. He was an All Star in both baseball and football. He was an outfielder for the Kansas City Royals and a running back for the Raiders. There have been people who played two professional sports. Deion Sanders played both football and baseball. Danny Ainge and Dave debusscher played baseball and basketball. It's a notable achievement. But being an all star in both sports was unprecedented until Bo Jackson did it. There's currently a running back on Ohio State named Bo Jackson. He ran for 117 yards against Michigan. He's got a long way to go to be Bo Jackson.

[Mike Wilbon]

Our dear friend Dick Shapp I believe voted and we had that panel the greatest athletes of the 20th century. I believe he voted Bo Jackson 1.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He not only voted Bo Jackson 1, he voted him over somebody he competed against in high school, Jim Brown, who was at one time the best football player and lacrosse player in the country.

[Mike Wilbon]

There's some similarities there between those two.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, happy anniversary Michael Vick. On this day 23 years ago, Vick set the NFL single game rush record for a quarterback with 173 yards and beat the Vikings in overtime with this 46 yard run.

[Mike Wilbon]

Look at this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You will see Vick go around by and through a legion of Minnesota defenders who couldn't Lay a glove on him. This was before Vick's involvement in a dog fighting ring sent him to prison for 21 months, after which he would make a comeback with the Eagles. Vick's 173 yards has since been surpassed by Colin Kaepernick's 188 yards in the playoffs against Green Bay in 2003. And Justin fields 178 against Miami in the regular season in 2022. Vick is now head coach of the Norfolk State Spartans, who are 111 this season and lost a MIAC game to Deshaun Jackson's Delaware State team.

[Mike Wilbon]

Michael Vick, the greatest quarterback athlete you've ever seen. Right up there ahead of your boy Randall Cunningham.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Short list of Steve Young.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, no, not ahead of Steve Young.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Say the same thing.

[Mike Wilbon]

Player.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're the same player. Don't you think?

[Mike Wilbon]

Breathtaking.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

In their primes. Happy trails. Kyle Palmeri. The Islanders will miss their winger for six to eight months after he tore his ACL in a collision Friday night. In 25 games this season, Palmeri tallied 18 points, the last of which came after this injury. Watch him rise, head slowly toward the bench, then strip the puck from an oblivious flyer and start the scoring opportunity with a slick backhanded pass. Kary then continued straight through to the tunnel.

[Mike Wilbon]

Talk about hockey players being tough. It becomes like a cliche where you wink. No, no, no, no, no. There are acts of toughness you see at a rink that you just don't see anywhere else. Hardly ever.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, Daniel Jones just played on a broken leg.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm not saying football players aren't tough.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm just saying hockey players, they are.

[Tony Kornheiser]

By and large. One error. Matthew Stafford had thrown 28 touchdowns without an interception, not 29. That's my bad. My bad. What's really the difference, though? Big finish. Here we go.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Michigan State, finalizing a deal with your Pat Fitzgerald. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

He can come back. That's fine.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Fine.

[Mike Wilbon]

Kentucky fired head coach Mark Stoops. Is that deserved?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm not going to get into whether it's deserved. He was there 13 years. His overall record was 82. 80. But this year, everybody's getting third prize. You're fired. Everybody's getting it. Sam Darnold and the Seahawks beat the Vikings. You impressed with that?

[Mike Wilbon]

Not particularly that game, but I'm impressed with Seattle. You know, I think they may be one in my power yet.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You've got in the wpi, Seattle. Yeah. Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

The Dolphins have four of five Right. Falcons have lost six of seven. You're all over Atlanta.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, they are the bigger deal. They stink. I don't want to hear about them again. Now, I think the Miami coach may well have saved his job with what he's doing now. But Atlanta, top down. It doesn't work. Last one, Monday Night Football. Two and 10. Giants at the 10, two Patriots. I'll bet you're smelling upset.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, there's no upset. Even with Jackson. Dart back. Let me just go back to our big story, Mr. Kiffin. I don't want him as my coach. Now I got a coach. Dave Braun. We're going. We're going to places. He's not a louse. I don't want a louse. I want the opposite of a louse.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What is the opposite of a louse? Elise, what is the opposite?

[Mike Wilbon]

Nice guy, Great guy. We are out of time.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We'll try to do better the next time. Uncle Jerry. Shout out. You ever have Uncle Jerry's pretzels?

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I spoke to Uncle Jerry.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's a Philly thing. Pretzels. I'm Mike Lobon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads.

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