Ringer Tailgate College Football Podcast

Episode: "Mike Gundy’s Last Move, Mateer’s Major Injury, and Big Van on Campus Breaking Down Lane Kiffin vs LSU"

Hosts: Van Lathan, Joel Anderson, Tate Frazier

Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Ringer Tailgate dives deep into a wild college football week, with sharp, lively banter about legacy-defining coaching moves (Mike Gundy’s future), brutal injuries (Oklahoma's John Mateer), heated job market speculation, and high-stakes SEC slugfests—especially LSU vs. Ole Miss, with a side of family drama. Van Lathan, Joel Anderson, and Tate Frazier tackle big-picture questions about talent and production, celebrate up-and-coming programs like Indiana, and debate which open jobs matter most. Expect signature moments, memorable quotes, and prime college football insight delivered with irreverence and edge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Talent vs. Production in Modern CFB

[03:29 – 09:43]

• Van’s Big Reaction: Talent is overrated—production is what matters. He cites examples of unheralded players dominating over more “talented” but underperforming five-stars, including a defensive tackle from Southeastern who “wrecked” LSU’s O-line.

  "Talent is meaningless in college football. Talent doesn't mean anything... I'm seeing players who know how to produce, dominate." – Van Lathan [03:29]

• The crew discusses the difficulty of evaluating high school talent, sharing stories about can’t-miss prospects who fizzled, and late-bloomer success stories.

  "Evaluation is just so hard. High school kids, you just never know who’s going to…keep their head on straight…" – Joel Anderson [06:16]

• Transfer Portal Stats: Tate shares that the top seven transfer portal classes are a combined 27-0 (LSU, Texas Tech, Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, FSU, Mizzou).

  "No excuse, just produce." – (Drew League slogan, cited by Tate) [05:05]

2. The (Transfer) Portal Effect and Player Development

[09:44 – 14:38]

• The gang delves into the impact of the portal on player development and team chemistry. Van and Joel reflect on how instant-impact transfers can sometimes stifle the development of homegrown talent.

  "There are kids…that need reps…are they going to get those when production is so easy to bring in?" – Van Lathan [12:00]

• Shoutout to Russell Shepard (LSU), a college journeyman who later found success in the NFL—and, per Van, is “one of the truest Tigers that ever existed.”

3. John Mateer’s Injury & Oklahoma’s QB Crunch

[14:46 – 21:53]

• Joel’s prescient “big reaction” was that Mateer wouldn’t make it through the season. Mateer then broke his throwing hand (thumb) vs. Auburn.

  "He was running too much…they needed him so much, it just seemed like that load was untenable… How is this guy going to survive all year?" – Joel Anderson [15:02]

• They dissect replacement options (Michael Hawkins Jr.) and note that Jaydn Ott, a hyped transfer RB, has been nearly invisible due to possible injury or coach’s doghouse.
• Joel unpacks how coaches, doctors, and agents likely collaborated on the decision to operate and keep Mateer out for the Kent State game, potentially targeting Texas for a return.

4. Indiana: Now a "Football School"?

[21:53 – 29:30]

• Tate claims “Indiana is officially a football school” noting insane scoring margins, a new Heisman favorite (Fernando Mendoza), and the team’s resurgence.

  "Indiana is officially a football school. They have passed the baton. It is the time." – Tate Frazier [21:53]

• Joel and Van highlight how Indiana’s defense is as impressive as their offense, and contextualize what this means for the Big Ten race.

  "They got after Illinois's ass on defense… nine first downs! They have a real unit out there." – Joel Anderson [25:01]

• Van argues that Indiana’s legitimacy is a “sneaky big answer for the Big Ten”—maybe the ring of parity the conference needs.

5. Mike Gundy’s Exit: Will He Coach Again?

[29:30 – 36:52]

• The panel digests Mike Gundy’s abrupt end at Oklahoma State and his contentious attitude about the NIL era.

  "He’ll be back. He’ll get a bridge job—maybe Tulsa…to make a splash by hiring someone with tremendous name recognition…" – Van Lathan [29:52]

• They debate whether he’s likely to be hired by a Power 4 (or Group of 5) school, drawing parallels to Gary Patterson (TCU), Frank Solich, and Les Miles.
• Joel is skeptical:

  "If you did less with more, I'm not really going to expect you to do more with less." – Joel Anderson [35:53]

6. Start, Bench, Cut: UCLA, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State

[36:52 – 43:58]

• Ranking open jobs, Van would “start” UCLA (“you’re living in Los Angeles”), “bench” Virginia Tech, “cut” Oklahoma State.
• Joel values VT’s talent base and traditions (Hokie Pokie, Lane Stadium) but trashes Oklahoma State’s remoteness.

  "No one in Oklahoma that grows up there is trying to play at Oklahoma State… you don't have T. Boone Pickens money anymore." – Joel Anderson [40:32]

7. Overreaction of the Week: Arch Manning’s “Flex”

[44:53 – 48:07]

• Tate sets the scene: Arch Manning flexed on Sam Houston State’s "slimebacker" Antavious Fish, and his mom hated it.
• Van: Totally out of line for Arch.

  "That was a bitch move...You ain’t earned that flex, Arch. Score, get a ball to the referee, get back to the huddle…" – Van Lathan [44:53]

• Joel uncovers that Fish had earlier tackled and stepped over Arch—so maybe it was some deserved “get back.”

  "There was a little bit of a get back, then I could get it." – Joel Anderson [47:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 03:29 | "Talent is meaningless in college football." | Van Lathan | | 06:16 | "Evaluation is just so hard…" | Joel Anderson | | 24:24 | "At least you didn’t call me Mel Gibson on the show." | Tate Frazier | | 29:52 | "He’ll be back. He’ll get a bridge job…" | Van Lathan | | 35:53 | "If you did less with more, I’m not really going to expect you to do more with less." | Joel Anderson | | 44:54 | "That was a bitch move to me." | Van Lathan (on Arch Manning) | | 62:27 | "Now it’s not a game between LSU and Ole Miss anymore. It’s a game between Wit Weeks and his father-in-law… The Kiffin residence…" | Van Lathan (about player-dating-coach’s daughter rivalry) | | 79:02 | "He’s very much like a peacock among mere mortals, Michael Irvin." | Joel Anderson |

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 03:29 – 09:43: Van’s “production over talent” manifesto; evaluating high school stars vs. actual gamers.
• 14:46 – 21:53: Oklahoma QB crisis: Mateer’s injury, future outlook.
• 21:53 – 29:30: Indiana’s football awakening: stats, skepticism, and Big Ten impact.
• 29:30 – 36:52: Mike Gundy’s exit: legacy, job market, Group of 5 fit?
• 36:52 – 43:58: Job market debate: UCLA vs. Virginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State.
• 44:53 – 48:07: Arch Manning’s “flex,” the fine line of earned swagger.
• 51:21 – 66:00: Previewing key games: Oregon–Penn State, Alabama–Georgia, LSU–Ole Miss.
• 62:27 – 67:00: The “Big Van on Campus” segment: Ole Miss–LSU, Lane Kiffin’s daughter, family rivalry drama.
• 70:54 – 76:07: Rapid-fire games to watch, Big Ten & SEC breakdown, sleeper picks.
• 79:02 – 82:04: “Complimentary Football” — a Michael Irvin appreciation (and Michael Irvin for head coach?!)

High-Profile Previews

(Key Game Analysis)

• Oregon @ Penn State (Whiteout)
  • Franklin’s legacy game; Oregon finally gets real test ([51:21–55:08]).
• Alabama @ Georgia
  • Bama needs this win for fanbase belief and playoff hopes. Injuries, defensive drop-off for Georgia ([55:10–59:35]).
• LSU @ Ole Miss — With a Family Plot Twist
  • "Van, Big Van on Campus": Wit Weeks (LSU) dating Lane Kiffin’s daughter. Now it’s personal. Can’t lose or you become “just another son-in-law.” ([62:27–67:00]).

Closing Thoughts & Tone

The episode’s energy is loose, funny, and brutally honest—lots of real talk about player psyches, coaching egos, and the absurd soap-operatic threads that make college football great. The chemistry among Van, Joel, and Tate is top-tier, mixing sharp analysis with hilarious asides.

The show closes with an unexpectedly deep appreciation of Michael Irvin’s deranged YouTube content and a plea for fans to lighten up on social media. As ever, college football isn’t just about the games—it’s family, feuds, spectacle, and a little chaos.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This summary gives you the laughs, insights, and drama from the latest CFB week, plus bite-sized context to join any barroom debate. Get the lowdown on Mike Gundy’s ouster, Oklahoma’s QB grid, and why Lane Kiffin’s home might be the new frontline in SEC rivalry—with enough big-picture takes to keep you thinking until Saturday’s kickoffs.