Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Hour 1: Cue the Sad Music

Date: December 7, 2025
Hosts: Myron Medcalf, guest co-host Braden Gall (filling in for Matt Jones)
Featured guest: Coach Herm Edwards

Episode Overview

This episode wrestles with the drama and controversy around the college football playoff (CFP) selection process during one of the most tumultuous selection weekends in its history, following a series of surprising upsets and tightly-contested games. With regular co-host Matt Jones absent due to a personal matter, Braden Gall joins Myron Metcalf to humorously and insightfully break down the implications for major college programs (especially Alabama, Miami, and Notre Dame), the merits of the CFP system, and forecast outcomes for NFL Week 14.

Also featured: an engaging segment with Herm Edwards on iconic sports music moments, wide receiver psychology in the NFL, the Packers-Bears rivalry, and the ongoing saga of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The College Football Playoff Committee’s Big Decision

• Main Theme: The unpredictable, high-stakes chaos facing the CFP committee after upsets, particularly how to rank teams on the bubble, like Alabama, Miami, and Notre Dame.
• Braden Gall:
  • “They have one of the most difficult decisions that they will ever have to make in the history of their 11-year existence coming up today. And I can't wait to see what happens.” (01:01)
• Myron Medcalf humorously encourages listeners to comfort Alabama fans, teasing the idea of “counseling sessions” for programs on the potential outside:
  • “If you're near an Alabama fan, I want you to grab their hand, hold them close … grab some tissue … they are a victim of this system if they don't get in.” (03:02–04:09)

1.1 The Alabama Dilemma

• Alabama’s CFP credentials are debated, especially after a loss to Georgia and notable losses earlier in the season (including Florida State and Oklahoma).
• Gall critiques the CFP committee’s methods:
  • “The committee did itself a disservice by putting Alabama at 9. If they don't put him in today, I think that's telling on themselves. Not telling on Alabama or Notre Dame or Miami.” (05:53)
• Discussion centers on how conference championship outcomes should (or shouldn't) affect rankings, with both Braden and Myron questioning the selective impact of “the last game.”

1.2 Case-by-Case vs. Historical Precedents

• Medcalf notes that in the entire history of the CFP, a three-loss team has never made the playoffs, raising a question of whether precedent matters:
  • “What is clear … is that the committee in the history of the playoff dating back to 2014 … a three loss team has never been included.” (07:42)
• Gall: “We're going to have three loss teams get in because strength of schedule is so different. … a three loss team might be deserving.” (21:58)

1.3 Committee’s Consistency and Open Debate

• Both co-hosts, while recognizing the committee’s honed expertise, question their logic and transparency, playfully mocking the “philosopher-king” mindset:
  • Medcalf jokes: "I am the great Marcus Aurelius Gaul and I demand that the council consider Alabama and its record." (06:24)
  • Later: “The great Braden Aristotle Gaul …” (11:28)

2. Ranking the Bubble Teams

(Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame, and others)

• Braden lays out his own hypothetical top 12:
  • “Number 9: Notre Dame. Number 10: Alabama. Number 11: BYU. Number 12: Miami. If I'm basing it on the committee's rankings, yes.” (21:27)
• He supports Notre Dame above Miami despite Miami’s head-to-head win, arguing for a 12-game sample and overall resume strength:
  • “Miami has one good win in the top 30 of anybody on their schedule. … I would have Texas ahead of Miami. I would have BYU ahead of Miami. … Miami in the committee's eyes all season long ... not in the realm of Oklahoma, Alabama, Notre Dame.” (19:41–20:57)

3. R&B, Hip-Hop, and Vibes: The Show’s Fun Energy

• Running Joke: Myron needles the producers for choosing classic Black music while he’s hosting.
  • “Are y’ all looking for all of the black hits from like 1985 to 2005 to make me feel more comfortable?” (14:41)
  • “Y’all playing the soul music because I’m driving?" (14:41)
• Braden replies, “We could finally get some 90s hip hop.” (14:46)
• Myron: “They were really crying in the car before they got to the studio. … These were lyrics about actual people in situations. I just really appreciated that.” (15:07)

4. Herm Edwards Segment: Legendary Stories and NFL Psychology

4.1 Seeing Jimi Hendrix Live

• Herm tells a vivid story of seeing Jimi Hendrix burn his guitar at age 11:
  • “I saw him when he burnt the guitar up. … My babysitter took me over there. … I'm 11 years old, I said, who is this guy?” (25:06–26:25)
  • “Best thing I ever seen was Jimi Hendrix burn the guitar.” (26:41)
  • Everyone in the studio is genuinely wowed by this legendary live-music moment.

4.2 Wide Receiver Mentality in the NFL (George Pickens discussion)

• Myron presses Herm on receiver psychology and whether “coddling” is necessary:
  • Herm: “They're like 7-Eleven. They're always open. … When you have guys like this ... your intention as the head coach ... is that guy needs to get at least 10–12 targets in a football game. … Because if you don’t do that, then this stuff comes up.” (28:40–29:58)
  • “You have to figure out how to communicate to these guys, and when you don’t, they become a distraction.” (29:58)
• Myron: “Isn't that coddling, though? … forcing the ball to these whiny receivers?” (29:58)
• Herm: “When I was a head coach, I made sure that the offensive coordinator get it to the best players. … I mean, it's like, hey, man, this is what you got to do.” (30:05)

4.3 Do Modern Players Care About Rivalries?

• Braden asks about Bears-Packers history’s meaning for today’s players:
  • Herm: “A lot of these guys have no idea about the history of this. … They just play football. … Most of these guys, they don't know what happened in the 60s, in the 70s. They have no idea.” (31:42–32:42)

4.4 Mike Tomlin’s Future With the Steelers

• On whether Tomlin should be worried amid growing pressure:
  • Herm: “Mike's been in the league a long time. … The last thing he's worried about is his job. … When they fired Tom Landry, I went, oh, if they can fire Tom Landry … they can fire Herm Edwards, too.” (34:00, 35:21)
  • “Mike might want a change as well. He’ll get a job tomorrow if he decides to leave.” (34:17–35:21)

5. NFL Week 14: Key Matchups Previewed

Segment begins at 37:30.

• Myron and Braden rapidly fire through playoff-impactful games, focusing on what matters most for each.

5.1 Steelers at Ravens (38:28–39:57)

• Braden: “The playoff leverage in this matchup is off the charts. Baltimore playing extremely well … for the Ravens, it’s about protecting the football. … If Lamar Jackson, Baltimore and that offense at home can take care of the football, that's probably the key matchup.”
  • Braden Gall (38:47)
• Myron: “Under Harbaugh, the Ravens are 5-13 against the Steelers when they commit multiple turnovers. … but the run defense has been suspect for the Steelers.”

5.2 Colts at Jaguars (39:57–41:07)

• Both 8-4, winner leads the AFC South.
• Key focus: Can Trevor Lawrence take advantage of a weak Colts secondary?
• Myron compares the pressure on QBs to similar past end-of-season struggles.

5.3 Bears at Packers (41:35–43:47)

• Features a replay of Ben Johnson’s quote relishing beating the Packers and sets up the rivalry stakes with regular-season title implications.
• Myron: “I don't want any of those pregame shots of Matt LaFleur and Ben Johnson chit chatting on the field. … I think there's real beef.” (41:54)
• Braden: “I cannot remember a bigger game in this rivalry. … If Green Bay can stop the Bears rushing attack and make Caleb [Williams] make the plays, I think you got a really good shot.” (43:04)

5.4 Texans at Chiefs (44:02–45:21)

• Features an odd Andy Reid quote:
  • “We're going to try to tickle your tonsils on every play, every game. But that's the attitude we're coming in with.” (44:16)
• Offensive line struggles for the Chiefs vs. roaring Texans defense highlighted.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If you're near an Alabama fan, I want you to grab their hand, hold them close. ... Grab some tissue... they are a victim of this system if they don't get in.”
  – Myron Medcalf (03:02)
• “That's not what I said, by the way. ... just to be clear.”
  – Braden Gall, defending his argument on playoff logic (07:35)
• “When I was a head coach, I made sure that the offensive coordinator get it to the best players. ... this is what you got to do.”
  – Herm Edwards (30:05)
• “Best thing I ever seen was Jimi Hendrix burn the guitar.”
  – Herm Edwards (26:41)
• “We're going to try to tickle your tonsils on every play, every game.”
  – Andy Reid (clip) (44:20)

Tone & Style

The episode balances high-level analytical debate with humor, authenticity, and personality-driven banter. Braden Gall brings a measured, philosophical sports-nerd energy, while Myron Medcalf mixes in both expert hosting and well-timed jokes. Herm Edwards' NFL wisdom is accompanied by vivid storytelling and life lessons.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• College Football Playoff Debate Begins – 02:20
• Alabama “Sad Music” & CFP Philosophizing – 03:00–08:45
• Picking the Bubble Teams – 17:08–22:32
• R&B/Hip-Hop Banter – 14:30–15:30; 24:06–25:00
• Herm Edwards: Jimi Hendrix Story – 25:04–26:41
• Wide Receiver Psychology & NFL Rivalries – 28:00–33:27
• Mike Tomlin’s Job Security – 33:27–35:45
• NFL Week 14 Previews – 37:30–45:21

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for fans of college football or the NFL who want analysis with humor, pop culture, and real stories from inside locker rooms. It’s especially valuable for:

• Understanding the CFP selection controversy
• Learning how legendary coaches and players actually think about fame, rivalry, and pressure
• Getting ready for a pivotal NFL Sunday

Tune in for a blend of expert insight, laughs, and the authenticity that defines great Sunday sports radio.