Podcast Summary

Podcast: Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
Hosts: Myron Medcalf (ESPN), Braden Gall (filling in for Matt Jones)
Episode: Hour 2: Will They or Won't They
Date: December 7, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on the looming College Football Playoff (CFP) selection and the controversies surrounding bubble teams, especially Alabama, Notre Dame, and Miami. The show features a deep-dive interview with ESPN CFB analyst Greg McElroy, a robust debate on the Heisman Trophy race, and "Take Your Pick" NFL predictions, all delivered with the banter and humor typical of Matt and Myron.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alabama’s Playoff Case and the CFP’s Precarious Precedent

(Starts ~01:21)

Interview with Greg McElroy (ESPN CFB Analyst)

• Context: Alabama is a three-loss team that just beat Georgia in the SEC title game. The committee faces an unprecedented choice.
• Committee Dynamics: McElroy illustrates the challenge for the committee – do they inadvertently punish teams for making their conference title games?
• "Slippery Slope" Warning:

  “You should not necessarily be penalized if you lose because the teams you’re being measured against aren’t being asked to play. … That, I think, is a real dangerous precedent to set.” (Greg McElroy, 02:34)

• Resume Discussion: Alabama's strength of schedule jumped to 6th after the Georgia win, while Notre Dame’s and Miami’s are 44th and 45th.
• What Counts?: The "eye test" may look better for Notre Dame/Miami, but Alabama’s resume is more robust per committee guidelines.

Why a Three-Loss Alabama Would Be Different

• McElroy points out Alabama entered the SEC Championship with only two losses, similar to peers.
• Parity at the Top:

  “All three of those teams could hypothetically win the national championship, like they are that good.” (Greg McElroy, 07:21)

• Predicted Order:

  “Notre Dame sitting as the 9 seed, Alabama sitting as the 10 seed, and Miami as the first team out at 11.” (Greg McElroy, 07:54)

2. Heisman Trophy Debate: What Defines "Most Outstanding"?

(Starts ~08:00)

Braden & Greg McElroy Weigh Criteria

• Versatile Standards: There's no uniform metric: sometimes it’s about value to team, sometimes pure stats or clutch moments.
• Candidates Discussed: Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame RB), and Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech LB).
• McElroy’s Philosophy:

  “It was mostly about who’s the guy that has completely transcended, who’s changed the outcome and the fortunes of his program.” (Greg McElroy, 08:40)

• Mendoza gets major credit for leading Indiana to first outright Big Ten title since 1945.
• Heisman Transparency:

  “If you can read between the lines, you probably can [guess my vote].” (Greg McElroy, 10:26)

Braden’s Take on Voter Philosophy

• Does the “best quarterback” bias leave out exceptional non-QBs?
• Jeremiah Love is praised as a transformative running back, but his Heisman odds may be dinged by two subpar performances in big losses:

  “You kind of have to nitpick… if you’re nitpicking Love, the anti-case... is that, in the two biggest games... he didn’t really do a whole lot.” (Braden Gall, 20:43)

• Historical Impact: Both Mendoza (Indiana) and Pavia (Vanderbilt) are recognized for historic season turnarounds.

3. "Take Your Pick" – NFL Week 14 Picks & Quick Analyses

(Starts ~24:55)

Rapid-fire segment where Myron and Braden forecast key NFL games, mixing quick analysis and friendly ribbing.

Notable matchups:

• Seahawks @ Falcons: Both pick Seahawks.
• Bengals @ Bills: Both go with Bills, expecting a “serious” Buffalo effort.
• Titans @ Browns: Both take Browns, with Myron highlighting Myles Garrett’s sack chase.
• Packers @ Bears: Both pick Green Bay but note it’ll be a low-scoring "slugfest."
• Texans @ Chiefs: Myron calls it for the Chiefs citing cold weather; Braden predicts a Texans upset.

4. Final CFP Predictions and Selection Rules Explained

(Starts ~36:12)

• Committee Process: Top 5 conference champions auto-bid, but no longer guarantees top four a bye. Tulane and James Madison could slide in over major-conference teams.
• Hosts' Final Top-12 CFP Rankings:
  • Both agree Indiana should be #1 for its perfect season, defensive prowess, and historic context.
  • Georgia, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Miami, Alabama, and Vanderbilt slug it out in subsequent slots.
  • Debate over brand-name bias, head-to-head wins, and strength of schedule.

Notable Quotes:

• On Indiana:

  “Indiana has a perfect season. They beat Ohio State to clinch the first Big Ten championship for that school outright since 1945.” (Myron, 37:56)

• On the gauntlet at the top:

  “No matter what decision you make… they all deserve to win it.” (Braden Gall, 20:43)

• On the playoff snubs:

  “There’s a team that will be told they’re not playing… that could literally win the whole thing.” (Greg McElroy, 07:04)

• On the flawed system:

  “If you’re the committee, it’s an easy out… Bump Alabama out. That it’s not the committee’s problem.” (Myron, 44:50)

Memorable Moments

• Greg McElroy’s “over/under” text joke:

  “[Alabama fans ask] ‘We in?’… 71, 71 and a half [texts]. Smart money’s on the over.” (Greg McElroy, 02:04)

• Concert banter: Myron & Braden joke about going to a Nelly & Ja Rule show and the need to be confident surrounded by “guys who are still in the gym.” (15:04–15:35)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Playoff selection debate and McElroy interview: 01:21–11:47
• Heisman Trophy race debate: 14:55–22:46
• NFL picks – Take Your Pick: 24:51–34:46
• Hosts build their own CFP Top 12: 36:12–45:30

Tone and Style

Conversational, humorous, and occasionally irreverent. Myron and Braden balance passionate sports debate with moments of pop culture levity and inside-joke energy (“man pots and pans” sign-off). In all, the episode excels at conveying the chaos and excitement of one of college football’s most unpredictable selection Sundays.

For listeners or readers seeking a pulse on CFP drama, the Heisman debate, and Week 14 NFL action, this episode offers sharp analysis, strong opinions, and loads of personality.