Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode: Hour 1: Big Fans of SMU
Release Date: November 24, 2024
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf
Description: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf delve into the intricacies of the sports world every Sunday morning, offering insights, debates, and engaging discussions for football enthusiasts.
1. NFL Weekend Recap
The episode kicks off with Matt and Myron assessing the NFL schedule for the weekend. Both hosts express disappointment over the lackluster matchups, highlighting teams like the 49ers, Packers, Eagles, Rams, Chiefs, and Panthers.
Notable Quote:
Myron Medcalf [00:46]:
"This might be the worst one of the year... Monday Night Football is pretty good with the Ravens and Chargers, but overall, it's a week to possibly spend with family."
2. Giants’ Management of Daniel Jones
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the New York Giants' handling of quarterback Daniel Jones. Matt criticizes the franchise’s decision to bench Jones in an undignified manner, while Myron emphasizes the importance of maintaining player dignity even when cutting ties.
Notable Quotes:
Matt Jones [02:10]:
"We're an embarrassment of a franchise."
Myron Medcalf [02:48]:
"Let's have fun with it... But let's not just be a respectable franchise again."
3. College Football Playoff and SMU's Potential Inclusion
The hosts transition to college football, debating the potential inclusion of Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs in the newly expanded 12-team playoff. Myron advocates for SMU's inclusion despite their losses, arguing they deserve a spot based on their performance relative to conference strength. Matt counters by emphasizing the superiority of SEC teams like Georgia, regardless of SMU's appeal.
Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [04:44]:
"If you're a Power 5 school with two losses, SMU should be considered over a three-loss SEC team."
Matt Jones [10:09]:
"But SMU can't put SEC teams on its schedule, so it can't prove it can compete the same way Georgia can."
4. Playoff Selection Criteria: Deserve vs. Better
Matt and Myron delve deeper into the playoff selection criteria, debating whether deserving teams (like SMU) should be favored over teams that are objectively better (like Georgia). They reference Heather Dennis from ESPN to underscore the complexities of the selection process.
Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [20:14]:
"What matters more to you: who deserves it or who's better?"
Matt Jones [20:33]:
"That's what this feels like, arguing for deserve vs better, similar to debates in the NCAA tournament."
5. NFL Teams Analysis: Lions and Vikings
Shifting back to the NFL, the conversation focuses on the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Both teams are praised for their performance, with particular attention paid to the Lions' undefeated road record and Myron's skepticism about Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold's clutch performance.
Notable Quotes:
Matt Jones [24:35]:
"The Lions have not had a nine-game winning streak since 1934. They have a legit chance to leave this season with a Super Bowl ring."
Myron Medcalf [26:49]:
"Do you believe in Sam Darnold when the chips are down? I don't think he can handle that situation."
6. Quarterback Rankings and Playoff Scenarios
The hosts engage in a ranking exercise, listing their top quarterbacks based on performance in high-pressure situations. Myron ranks Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow at the top, while Matt critiques the absence of NFC quarterbacks in the list.
Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [31:34]:
"If it's two minutes left, down four, I want Josh Allen or Mahomes in that situation."
Matt Jones [32:25]:
"You can't put Kirk Cousins on that list... The stats never tell the story about him."
7. Highlighting NFL Rookies: Bo Nix and Others
A spotlight is cast on NFL rookies, especially Denver Broncos' Bo Nix, who is making a strong case for Rookie of the Year with impressive stats. The discussion covers other promising rookies like Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, and Drake May, debating their potential to become franchise quarterbacks.
Notable Quotes:
Matt Jones [34:12]:
"Bo Nix has been the biggest surprise, helping Sean Payton rise in the coach of the year conversation."
Myron Medcalf [40:35]:
"If I were drafting today, I'd pick Jaden Daniels first, followed by Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and Drake May."
8. Broadcasting Incident in Lexington, Kentucky
Towards the end, Matt and Myron discuss a controversial broadcasting decision in Lexington, Kentucky, where a high school girls' basketball scrimmage was aired instead of the Indiana vs. Ohio State football game. The decision was met with backlash from local fans.
Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [37:24]:
"The local Fox affiliate chose to air a girls' basketball scrimmage instead of the Indiana Ohio State game, causing significant frustration among viewers."
Matt Jones [38:30]:
"Come on, it's never too late to switch. Hit the doggone button and play the game everybody wants to see."
9. Closing Remarks
The episode wraps up with a brief mention of upcoming games, including the Chargers vs. Ravens match on Monday night, and a nod to future discussions on quarterback performances and team strategies.
Notable Quotes:
Myron Medcalf [43:42]:
"The Colts are looking for their future quarterback, but will it be enough to compete with the Lions?"
Matt Jones [44:10]:
"Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen live every Sunday morning on ESPN Radio and SiriusXM channel 80."
Conclusion
In this episode, Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf navigate through a plethora of topics, from NFL team analyses and quarterback performances to the contentious debate over SMU's place in the college football playoff. Their candid discussions, coupled with sharp insights and humorous banter, offer listeners a comprehensive and engaging overview of the current sports landscape.
Notable References:
- SMU Mustangs: Central to the college football playoff debate.
- Daniel Jones: Highlighted as a case study in player management.
- Bo Nix: Emerges as a standout NFL rookie.
- Broadcasting Ethics: Examined through the Lexington incident.
Disclaimer: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and may not align precisely with the actual podcast runtime.