Ringer Tailgate Episode Summary

Episode: Trump’s Sit-Down With Josh Pate, NFL Combine Preview, & Big Ten vs. SEC
Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: Tate Frazier, Van Lathan, Joel Anderson

Main Theme & Overview

This episode of Ringer Tailgate dives into one of the most controversial moments in the college football podcast world – Josh Pate’s interview with Donald Trump. The hosts break down the fallout and significance of that event, address the intersection of sports and politics, and offer their candid takes on responsibility in sports media. The crew also previews the 2026 NFL Combine and explores conference supremacy in college football, particularly the ongoing Big Ten vs. SEC debate, with their trademark blend of sharp analysis and lively banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Opening & Banter

00:43 – 12:05

• Hosts catch up about work, credentials, and their status at The Ringer, laced with friendly jabs and inside jokes.
• Credential banter: Joel wonders about the show's access to the NFL Combine and jokes about the internal group chat and who contributes (or doesn’t) anymore.
  • “You didn't put that on the show notes.” - Joel (01:59)
  • “How dare you even fix your mouth to bring up credentials…” - Van (03:20)
• Anecdotes of social gatherings among Ringer crew and college football personalities, including dinner stories and family cooking (gumbo in LA).
• Special occasions: Shout-out to the “podiatrist” (an inside joke for Joel’s birthday).

2. Headline: Josh Pate Hosts Donald Trump — CFB’s Political Fault Lines

12:28 – 49:55

Initial Reactions and Critique

• Context: Josh Pate, prominent CFB podcaster, hosted Donald Trump for an 11-minute interview. Massive reaction & backlash ensued for crossing the ‘keep politics out of sports’ line.
  • “The juice was not worth the squeeze here.” – Van (14:12)
  • The hosts agree the move felt out of step, with a small, conservative core supporting it but broad swathes of listeners alienated. (16:00–18:00)
• Discussion of Sports & Politics:
  • “You're lying to yourself if you think politics is not a part of it.” – Joel (15:43)
  • College football has always been political—from stadium funding to antitrust exemptions, to current NIL debates.
• Missed opportunity and critique of the interview itself:
  • “You have an opportunity in front of this guy to talk about anything and you want to ask him: ‘How do you get along with people so well?’” – Joel (18:34)
  • The group finds the questions asked to Trump as frustratingly soft, missing the moment to hold power to account, and “nutting up” in front of power (23:10).

Quote Highlights

• “People are also trying to see if we are afraid of power.” – Van (21:06)
• “It's not a flex to have Trump on and nut up.” – Joel (23:10)

Broader Implications in CFB

• Political leanings of CFB: Some places, especially the SEC heartland, are conservative—but the mass audience is more mixed.
• Sports media responsibility: If you host a powerful, controversial figure, there’s an obligation to ask hard questions.
• Trump’s lack of ‘ball’:
  • “I miss when the president knew ball… this is not one.” – Tate (27:02)
  • Trump is described as an owner/observer, not a real CFB mind.

On Platforming Political Figures in Sports

• The importance of using platforms responsibly and not being an uncritical conduit.

Proposed Solutions and Invitations

• The crew offers an open invitation for Josh Pate to come on Ringer Tailgate and have a transparent dialogue (37:24).

3. NFL Combine Preview

58:12 – 66:18

Who & What to Watch

• Deep WR class: AC Concepcion, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon are mentioned.
• Defensive standouts: Sonny Styles’ athleticism is specifically praised—hosts discuss watching his high school basketball highlights (59:01).
• QB intrigue: Joel wants to see if Nussmeier can make himself a serious NFL option (60:43).
  • “If you are a Jets fan, it must have really, really sucked to see Sam Darnold be good enough to have a really good year offensively in Minnesota…” – Van (63:35)
• Evaluation of draft QBs: Expect some late risers and shocks, but the hosts are skeptical about some “hype” picks.

4. Overreactions of the Week / Mendoza & QB Draft Discourse

66:21 – 76:04

• Dan Orlovsky’s cryptic take (“It’s not what I expected so far”) on Raiders QB pick Fernando Mendoza leads to debate: is Mendoza a generational prospect or just steady?
• Van’s emphasis on “results” versus “traits”: He values winning and clutch play (69:08).
• Mendoza is labeled “high floor, low ceiling.” Joel argues you should take a true potential generational QB at #1 – and compares to the Reggie Bush/Mario Williams/Adrian Peterson debate (71:43).

5. Big Ten vs. SEC Debate

76:05 – 84:42

• Crowning the Big Ten:
  • “The Big Ten is the premier conference in college football.” – Van (78:34)
• SEC’s new reality:
  • SEC fans are challenged to “take the loss” and accept Big Ten dominance—no SEC in the latest top 10 from McShay.
• Playful bickering: Joel and Van banter about the recent championship credentials of TCU, LSU, and others.

6. Quick Headlines & Offseason News

87:52 – 100:36

• Shots fired: Kirby Smart & Mario Cristobal exchange jabs at a Steve Spurrier event (88:17).
• Eligibility lawsuits: Virginia’s Chandler Morris sues NCAA for a seventh season; Joey Aguilar denied.
• Nepotism & coaching trees: Rivers’ son (Gunner) commits to NC State. “If you’re a second generation, we get into the third.” (90:24)
• Army-Navy Game scheduling: Coach Monken wants to move the game to Thanksgiving weekend—Van argues this would overshadow the Bayou Classic, a cherished HBCU event (97:49).

Notable Quotes & Segments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Key Moment | |-----------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14:12 | Van Lathan | “The juice was not worth the squeeze here.” | | 15:43 | Joel Anderson | “You're lying to yourself if you think politics is not a part of it.” | | 18:34 | Joel Anderson | “You have an opportunity in front of this guy to talk about anything and you want to ask him, ‘…get along?’”| | 21:06 | Van Lathan | “People are also trying to see if we are afraid of power.” | | 23:10 | Joel Anderson | “It's not a flex to have Trump on and nut up.” | | 37:24 | Joel Anderson | “Let’s bring Pate on the show.” | | 69:08 | Van Lathan | “I am one of the rare sports fans that actually love results…” | | 78:34 | Van Lathan | “The Big Ten is the premier conference in college football.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Show opens, crew banter, Ringer internal politics: 00:43–12:09
• Josh Pate/Trump fallout, politics in CFB: 12:28–49:55
• NFL Combine Preview: 58:12–66:18
• Overreactions: Mendoza QB talk: 66:21–76:04
• Big Ten vs. SEC: 76:05–84:42
• Headlines: Coaching jabs, eligibility lawsuits, nepotism: 87:52–100:36
• Army-Navy/Bayou Classic scheduling debate: 97:49–100:36

Tone & Notable Moments

• Signature Tailgate banter is present throughout – frequent inside jokes, “hoe or not” riff, playful bickering, running jokes about credentials, group chats, and who misses meetings.
• Direct, frank analysis of Pate’s Trump interview, notably distinguishing the usual “softball” sports interview style from a journalist’s responsibility to ask real questions when power is at the table.
• No-holds-barred conference debate: SEC and Big Ten fans get their fair share of both mockery and grudging respect from the hosts.
• Calls for self-awareness and honesty– whether evaluating quarterbacks, discussing nepotism in CFB coaching, or admitting conference supremacy shifts.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is an essential listen for anyone interested in how sports and politics now intersect in college football media, how the NFL draft class is shaping up, and the ever-present regional and cultural feuds that define college football’s passionate culture. The hosts’ willingness to challenge each other, call out colleagues, and invite uncomfortable but necessary conversations makes this an unusually honest podcast in the sports media space.

Skip to the time stamps noted above for each segment you care about, and check the key quotes for the hosts’ best lines and sharpest opinions!