PTI Podcast Summary
Episode: Must Watch CFB Games this weekend?
Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon (ESPN)
Overview
This episode of PTI dives into the latest developments in Major League Baseball’s postseason, a controversial NFL Thursday night finish, and the weekend’s must-watch college football matchups. Tony and Mike deliver their signature blend of sports insight, banter, and personal anecdotes, breaking down ups and downs, upsets, and what to expect from marquee football matchups.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. MLB Postseason: Wild Card Highlights
AL Wild Card: Tigers & Yankees’ Big Wins
- Detroit Tigers:
- Overcame a late-season collapse to beat Cleveland on the road, emphasizing resilience after a disastrous August/September stretch.
- “They had just lost and lost and lost so much in August and September, blowing a 15 and a half game lead... to pull yourself together and win two on the road there…I'll take that as the better story of the two.” (Wilbon, 01:39)
- New York Yankees:
- Rookie Cam Schlitler starred: 12 strikeouts, 0 walks, 8 scoreless innings in his playoff debut, shutting down the Red Sox—his childhood team as a Boston native.
- “This is a kid who in his professional career had never struck out more than 10 players...in one game, he strikes out 12 Red Sox, he walks none of them. You know, he goes eight scoreless...he doesn't even want to be on the Yankees. He wants to be on Boss.” (Kornheiser, 03:35)
NL Wild Card: Cubs vs. Padres
- Chicago Cubs:
- Beat the Padres 3-1, capitalizing on early runs and a controversial strike call in the 9th inning.
- Wilbon attributes their success to effort and management: “One thing I love about this team...is that they give you everything they've got...I don't get it. [Manager Craig Counsel] gets, to me, closer to the maximum effort and result from his team than anybody in baseball.” (Wilbon, 04:39)
- Kornheiser highlights San Diego’s underwhelming offense—top hitters went hitless in crucial games—and notes coming rule changes to prevent such umpiring debacles in the future (e.g., ball-strike challenge in 2026).
- Both agree: The Cubs’ starting pitching was key to the win.
2. NFL: 49ers Outlast Rams in Overtime
Key Drama & Turning Points
- Short-handed 49ers (missing QB and receivers) beat the Rams in OT after Rams’ Coach Sean McVay’s failed 4th-down gamble.
- Kornheiser admits he missed the live game for baseball, but chalks it up to Rams’ failure: “You cannot fumble on the one yard line with a minute to go when you're about to go in for the winning score. You simply can't do that… the Rams had multiple opportunities to win that game and did not cash in. So...the Rams lost the game.” (Kornheiser, 08:28)
- Wilbon pushes back: “Those mistakes were forced...when you get a punch out like the 49ers were able to pull to knock that ball loose at the goal line...Let's give them credit for winning that game.” (Wilbon, 09:42)
- Brief speculation about a potential 49ers quarterback controversy: “I'm not going to be surprised if Mac Jones end up in that job.” (Kornheiser, 10:22)
3. Toss Up: College Football Upset Watch
Segment Start: [13:40]
Q1: More Likely Upset – Alabama vs. Vanderbilt or Miami at Florida State?
- Both agree: Miami is the more likely upset victim.
- Tony: Points to Miami’s poor road record (6–7) and Florida State’s home advantage.
- “That's the only reason I'm picking Florida State, because Miami on the road...here are the numbers: 15-2 at home, 6-7 on the road.” (Kornheiser, 13:47)
- Wilbon: “Booger [McFarland] walked right up to picking that upset and said he does think the game is going to be really close...I can't see [Vanderbilt] happening again.” (Wilbon, 14:39)
Q2: NFL – Will the Eagles or Bills Lose Their First Game?
- Both hesitant to pick against heavily favored teams.
- Kornheiser: “I don't think the Bills are going to lose to New England in Buffalo...so once again I feel forced to pick something else. I have to pick that the Eagles are going to lose...” (Kornheiser, 15:56)
- Wilbon: Thinks both could potentially lose; division games are always tricky.
- “Denver is pretty darn good...division games are hard...these are the games you lay off in your confidence pool.” (Wilbon, 16:50)
4. Happy Time / Notable Sports Milestones
Segment Start: [19:46]
- Jean Ratel’s 85th Birthday (NHL legend):
“Retell never won the Stanley cup but made it to three finals…491 goals and 776 assists." (Kornheiser, 20:14) - Clayton Kershaw Dodgers Anniversary/Reunion Potential:
“Kershaw could have one last run of glory [out of the bullpen].” (Kornheiser, 21:36) - WNBA Finals:
Quick preview – Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury; first best-of-seven Finals. Wilbon extols Aces coach Becky Hammond, but roots for local favorite Mercury.
5. Rapid-Fire: Big Finish
Segment Start: [22:53]
- NFL: Lamar Jackson ruled out for Baltimore with injury – “Ooh out. Wow.” (Kornheiser, 22:53)
- MLB: Mets cleaning house among coaching staff.
- NHL: Chris Knobloch re-signs with Oilers.
- PGA: Apology for Ryder Cup fan misbehavior—too little, too late according to Tony.
- CFB: “No shine” for Clemson–North Carolina game this season.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Cubs’ manager Craig Counsel:
“I don't get it. He gets...closer to the maximum effort and result from his team than anybody in baseball.”
— Mike Wilbon [04:39] - On Cam Schlitler’s epic performance:
“In one game, he strikes out 12 Red Sox, he walks none of them...he doesn’t even want to be on the Yankees. He wants to be on Boss.”
— Tony Kornheiser [03:35] - On drama in Thursday night football:
“You cannot fumble on the one yard line with a minute to go when you're about to go in for the winning score. You simply can't do that.”
— Tony Kornheiser [08:28] - On division game unpredictability:
“Division games are hard...in my confidence pool. I don't ever pick...double digit [confidence] for division games.”
— Mike Wilbon [16:50]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- AL/NL Wild Card Recaps: 01:06–07:29
- NFL: 49ers vs. Rams Recap/Quarterback Talk: 07:58–11:12
- Toss Up: CFB & NFL Upset Picks: 13:28–18:03
- Happy Time/Milestones: 19:46–22:53
- Rapid-Fire Finish: 22:53–24:06
Tone & Style
As always, the episode is characterized by witty back-and-forth, long-running inside jokes, and expert analysis. Kornheiser and Wilbon play off each other’s knowledge and fandom, making even disagreements entertaining.
This episode is a must-listen for fans of MLB postseason drama, NFL upsets, and college football’s wild October rides, delivered with the PTI duo’s timeless chemistry.