Ringer Tailgate Podcast Summary
Episode: Best Remaining Bowl Games and TJ Finley Drops by for Big Van on Campus
Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Tate Frazier (A), Van Lathan (B), Joel Anderson (C), Billy Gill (D; occasional contributor)
Episode Overview
This holiday edition of Ringer Tailgate blends hallmark chaos and sharp analysis, focusing on:
- The best remaining college football bowl games (outside the CFP)
- Reactions to the first round of the playoff
- Candid, in-depth interview with well-traveled quarterback TJ Finley about the realities of transfer-heavy careers in CFB, NIL, and the sport’s shifting culture
The hosts mix insightful takes, irreverent banter, and moments of genuine reflection, making this an episode both entertaining and revealing for all levels of college football fans.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
Opening Banter & Holiday Spirit (00:00–10:44)
- Christmas Chaos: Playful opener on missing Santa hats, a stolen PlayStation, and holiday greetings, setting a light, festive tone.
- Energy Check: The crew jokingly processes some underlying tensions about guest booking mishaps, teeing up the topic of podcast “family” dynamics.
- Holiday Traditions: Warm riffing on Christmas family rituals, including Tate’s (A) family’s UNC connection and prized Michael Jordan memorabilia.
- Holiday Movies & Candy: Tongue-in-cheek debate about ranking “Elf” vs. older Christmas classics; analogy to how new traditions rarely surpass the old.
- Memorable Quote:
“Crowning Elf as the number one Christmas movie of all time is hard for me…How can you be better than It’s a Wonderful Life?”
– Van (09:36)
- Memorable Quote:
CFP Round One Reactions & G5 Respect (10:45–17:54)
- Small School Shoutouts:
- JMU’s Playoff Performance: Van and Joel praise JMU for creativity and grit against Oregon, arguing it validates G5 inclusion—despite being outgunned.
- Van (12:02):
“JMU showed there are creative minds that can execute and get things done at all levels of college football…It was vindication for a lot of the smaller schools.”
- Van (12:02):
- JMU’s Playoff Performance: Van and Joel praise JMU for creativity and grit against Oregon, arguing it validates G5 inclusion—despite being outgunned.
- Why We Love CFB:
- Joel (13:07) expands: Real fans love the sport for its regional quirks and rivalries, not “just the playoffs.”
- Celebration Bowl Snub:
- Candid discussion about not covering the HBCU championship, with a mix of accountability (“It’s a fair criticism to say…you should have”) and playful rebellion (“At the same time, f*** you! Don’t tell me what to do. But I love you.” – Van, 17:05)
- Notable Exchange:
“Hating is a form of d*** riding.”
“The barbershop rule: go f*** yourself. But also, I heard what you said.” – Van (17:54)
- Notable Exchange:
- Candid discussion about not covering the HBCU championship, with a mix of accountability (“It’s a fair criticism to say…you should have”) and playful rebellion (“At the same time, f*** you! Don’t tell me what to do. But I love you.” – Van, 17:05)
The Texas A&M Dilemma & Conference Debates (18:00–32:26)
- A&M’s Near Misses:
- Both hosts see “steps forward” for the Aggies, but highlight the program’s inability to win big games as a cultural failing:
- “If you really look at it, Texas A&M won nothing this year. The battle they’re talking about winning is a cultural battle within themselves.” – Van (22:26)
- Both hosts see “steps forward” for the Aggies, but highlight the program’s inability to win big games as a cultural failing:
- SEC vs. Big 12 Banter:
- Extended, tongue-in-cheek sparring between Joel and Van about the merits of the SEC, Big 12, and Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M.
- Joel (26:59):
“A&M would be excited about beating the heavyweights like LSU and South Carolina…Like, that’s a big deal.”
Best Remaining Bowl Matchups (32:27–46:27)
- Host Picks for Top Bowls:
- Van:
- Citrus Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan (“So many storylines—who shows up, who cares, who’s coaching?” – 32:27)
- Texas Bowl: LSU in Houston (“LSU might be in hell, man. They gotta play the Cougs in Houston.” – Joel, 34:01)
- Joel:
- Alamo Bowl: TCU vs. USC (“Biggest win in TCU history…This would officially be the biggest win in the history of the program.” – Van, 35:20)
- Van:
- Golden Era Tangents:
- Long, self-deprecating breakdown of TCU’s “golden era” vs. LSU’s—full of stats, jabs, and nostalgia.
- Rapid Bowl Shoutouts:
- Pinstripe Bowl (Penn State-Clemson), Pop Tarts Bowl (Georgia Tech-BYU), Gator Bowl (Virginia-Missouri), and others.
Big Van on Campus: TJ Finley Interview (47:33–87:43)
A centerpiece of the episode—raw, revealing, and highly relevant to ongoing college football debates.
TJ Finley's Candid Story:
- Seven Schools in Seven Years:
- TJ traces his journey: LSU → Auburn → Texas State → Western Kentucky → (briefly) Tulane → Georgia State, detailing why each transfer happened (injuries, family, disrespect, lack of NIL support).
- Quote:
“A lot of the decisions to go from school to school were very calculated and for a specific reason…The memes and stuff, that’s cool and all, but when you sit down and evaluate everything…I’m a warrior and I don’t give up.” – TJ (59:03)
- Quote:
- TJ traces his journey: LSU → Auburn → Texas State → Western Kentucky → (briefly) Tulane → Georgia State, detailing why each transfer happened (injuries, family, disrespect, lack of NIL support).
- The Age of College Football as Business:
- Explains NIL impact: “We’re basically being paid for play now…It’s different now…My name will kind of be cemented. You feel like you’re a trailblazer?” (61:50)
- Balancing Dreams, Money, and Family:
- “Would you rather…play the game you love…and make six figures, or box Amazon packages?” – TJ (68:09)
- On fatherhood and degrees: “The smartest thing you could have done after all those headlines was to do what you’re doing right now, do interviews on it…” – Van (81:08)
- Future Outlook and NFL Hopes:
- Admits NFL dream is still alive but not nearly guaranteed; open to CFL/UFL if NCAA denies him another year
- “If you are not granted this extra year to go and play college football…what will you do?” – Van (82:47)
- “I’d have to declare for the NFL and hope for the best.” – TJ (82:47)
- Coaching as a Plan B:
- Candid about not wanting the grind of college coaching, prioritizing his kids.
- “My boys and my family means everything to me…Being in the office, that’s just not something I'm interested in.” – TJ (80:14)
- Candid about not wanting the grind of college coaching, prioritizing his kids.
- Hosts Reflect:
- Van: “Honestly, it takes a lot of balls…to face the music, tell your story. All the best to you, man.” (85:55)
- Joel: “If you want to come back and announce your college, we’ll do a whole commitment ceremony.” (86:01)
Closing Reflections: The Changing College Football Landscape (88:01–end)
- Tradition vs. Change:
- Van offers heartfelt praise for TJ, but reiterates concern for the sport’s tradition:
- “We have a major, major problem…There’s an issue that has to be addressed.” (88:36)
- Joel parodies the “it’s not the same anymore” refrain, ribbing Van for being a “college football originalist.”
- Van: “For the continuation of the sport…there’s going to have to be some structure to it, or else what you’re going to have is 26, 27-year-old athletes…chicken hawking 18, 19-year-old athletes.” (89:19)
- Van offers heartfelt praise for TJ, but reiterates concern for the sport’s tradition:
- Light-hearted End:
- Banter about Joel allegedly calling Tate “dad” and the recurring theme of holiday gratitude, camaraderie, and looking ahead to 2026.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “The value of college football is insane—so much more than just the games and conferences. It’s the tradition and the culture.” – Van (11:49)
- “Hating is a form of dick-riding…The barbershop rule: Go fuck yourself. But also, I heard what you said.” – Van (17:54)
- “If you really look at it, Texas A&M won nothing this year. The battle they’re talking about winning is a cultural battle within themselves.” – Van (22:26)
- “JMU showed…creative minds can execute and get things done at all levels…It was vindication for a lot of the smaller schools.” – Van (12:02)
- “I think you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable…We’re transitioning into pro football.” – TJ Finley (61:50)
- “Would you rather play the game you love and make six figures, or box Amazon packages?” – TJ Finley (68:09)
Key Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:00–10:44 – Opening/holiday banter
- 10:45–17:54 – CFP round one reactions and G5 conversation
- 18:00–32:26 – Texas A&M’s season and general conference debates
- 32:27–46:27 – Bowl game picks, golden era discourse
- 47:33–87:43 – Extended TJ Finley interview
- 88:01–end – Reflections on CFB’s future and closing camaraderie
Final Thoughts
This episode is a lively, multi-layered listen—a smart hangout for college football obsessives and casuals alike. The TJ Finley conversation is a rare, honest look at how NIL and the portal era is transforming not just careers, but the identity of the sport. The hosts remain as thoughtful as they are irreverent, celebrating college football’s weirdness while openly wrestling with its future.