The Bobby Bones Show – 25W: Bobby Bids on Eddie's Soul + Should Texas Bench Arch Manning? With Brandon Marcello + Eddie vs Kickoff Kevin in the All-Time Winning Percentage Game
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones
Guests/Co-hosts: Eddie, Kevin (“Kickoff Kevin”), Brandon Marcello
Episode Overview
This lively episode of The Bobby Bones Show (special 25 Whistles sports edition) blends lighthearted humor and serious college football insights. Bobby revives his ongoing bit attempting to buy Eddie’s soul for cash, which leads into sports discussions, listener Q&A, gambling picks, and an engaging game between Eddie and Kevin testing their NFL trivia skills. CBS college football analyst Brandon Marcello joins for an in-depth conversation on Clemson, Texas, coaching jobs, and more.
Segment Highlights and Timestamps
1. Intro and Whistle Banter (03:47–04:30)
- Bobby and the crew joke about the “25 Whistles” podcast name and their inability—or necessity—to whistle.
- Bobby: “I’ve developed that whistle out of necessity for the dogs. And I think if you had to whistle for a reason, you’d know how.” (04:16)
2. Bobby Attempts to Buy Eddie’s Soul (04:27–08:25)
- Bobby offers Eddie $100, then raises to $200 and $300 to sell his soul, referencing a recent news story where a woman sold her soul for dolls and concert tickets.
- Eddie is tempted but refuses, citing a “just in case” anxiety despite the easy money.
- The crew riffs on the “devil went down to Georgia” and pawn shop analogies.
- Eddie: “That could have been the easiest $100 I could have ever gotten, right? Because… you’re not taking my soul. That’s in me, dude. Like, you can’t touch that.” (05:00)
- Bobby: “I’ll give you $200 in cash if you write down on a piece of paper you now own my soul.” (05:28)
- Bobby considers bringing a contract to their Vegas trip in case Eddie wants a quick $300 at the tables.
3. Russian Music Tangent (08:25–09:19)
- Crew debates famous Russian bands, joking about t.A.T.u., Scorpions (who are German), and obscure acts.
4. Listener Question: Average Golf Scores (09:19–12:52)
- Listener asks about the crew’s 9-hole golf averages.
- Eddie and Bobby argue over their scores; Bobby insists he consistently beats Eddie, with playful banter about cooking a Superman meal as a lost bet.
- Both estimate their average as around 43–44 for 9 holes, then discuss what constitutes an "average golfer" (mid to high 40s).
- Bobby: “I think if you can break a hundred, that’s pretty good.” (12:08)
5. NFL and Cowboys Talk (12:52–18:16)
- Discussion on Jadavian Clowney's signing and the Cowboys’ surprising improvement in rushing touchdowns.
- Patriots penalties are also covered; Kevin is disappointed at sloppy play under Mike Vrabel.
- Lighthearted analysis of Belichick's legacy and the awkwardness of his future Patriots statue.
- Eddie: “When I watch the Cowboys, I want them to win by 40. And at halftime start cooking dinner…” (14:19)
6. Upcoming College Football Weekend Preview (19:16–23:53)
- Games discussed: South Carolina v. Missouri (spread analysis around Sellers’ injury), Texas Tech v. Utah, Auburn v. Oklahoma (Jackson Arnold’s return), etc.
- Bobby sets up a college football parlay and introduces listeners to the “ghost leg” sports betting strategy.
7. Eddie vs. Kickoff Kevin: All-Time NFL Winning Percentage Game (24:15–29:49)
- Bobby challenges Eddie and Kevin to name NFL teams with the highest and lowest all-time winning percentages.
- Several rounds of guesses with laughs, logic breakdowns, and running scores.
- Top answers: Packers, Steelers, Patriots, Giants.
- Bottom answers: Buccaneers, Jets, Cardinals, Panthers, Jaguars.
- Bobby: “You get 11 ghosts. That’d be a fun experiment...bet opposite everything you really feel.” (23:39)
- Eddie, on identifying loser teams: “Losers all. That’s my specialty.” (28:12)
Feature Interview: Brandon Marcello, CBS & 247 Sports
(34:26–53:58)
College Football Analysis
Clemson’s Challenges & Dabo Swinney’s Comments (35:12–38:25)
- Dabo’s press conference on pressure: “If they want me gone, they can send me on my way. If they’re tired of winning...I’ll go somewhere else and win.” (34:58)
- Marcello says Clemson has talent but isn’t clicking (especially on offense) and may never reach their old heights due to NIL and recruiting changes.
- “Clemson’s not what it used to be and it may not ever again...” – Brandon (35:19)
- Compares Dabo’s situation to Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State: “Dabo Sweeney is the Mike Gundy of the East Coast…”
Best Teams and Players Right Now (38:25–39:07)
- Brandon ranks Miami as his current #1 for their defense and trench dominance.
- Miami v. Florida preview: “Miami’s got the more impressive resume…”
Jackson Arnold & Auburn (39:10–40:12)
- Jackson’s done “above average” at Auburn but not yet elite as a pocket passer.
- “He’s a gamer…will rush for 100 yards if you need to.”
Oklahoma’s “Return” Games & Weekend Predictions (40:12–41:26)
- Predicts Oklahoma v. Auburn will be close, but OU’s offensive depth is a challenge.
- Marcello: “I’m not sure a lot of defenses are equipped to handle every weapon OU’s offense has.”
Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina & QB Injuries (41:26–42:48)
- Notes Vanderbilt’s improvement and dominance in the trenches. Predicts good potential for a double-digit win season.
Ohio State, Texas & Arch Manning Discussion (42:48–43:50)
- Ohio State drops in Marcello’s rankings after Texas proves weaker than expected.
- Raises concerns about Arch Manning’s performance at Texas: “There’s a legitimate question there about whether Arch Manning, you know, is even worthy of being the starter…”
Coaching Carousel: Hot Seats & Jobs (43:50–49:42)
- Shane Beamer not likely to leave South Carolina for Virginia Tech.
- UCLA’s coaching turmoil: “It’s not a great job…finances are nowhere near what they need to be.”
- Florida possible opening: Lane Kiffin influential among boosters but not likely a fit for the AD.
- Predicts a record-breaking year for Power 5 coaching changes, with possibly half a dozen SEC job openings.
Arkansas Watch (49:42–49:49)
- Arkansas could open up; Bobby reflects on defensive struggles despite Petrino’s offensive prowess.
Off-Topic: TV Recommendations & Life Balance (49:49–51:46)
- Marcello and Bobby swap TV recommendations ("Peacemaker", "Alien Earth", "Task").
- Marcello: “Cena is a great actor in it. He’s perfect for that role…James Gunn…everything’s just got...it’s kind of light…”
- Marcello’s weekend plans: Tulsa–Oklahoma State & Auburn–OU games.
More on Auburn’s QB (Jackson Arnold’s) Future
- “It’s almost undoable to meet the expectations as a five star freshman.” (52:21)
- OU’s injuries last year set up Arnold’s development; lots of optimism going forward for Auburn.
8. NFL Picks, Bets, and Final Thoughts (57:56–63:55)
- Bobby, Eddie, and Kevin preview upcoming NFL games, lines, and discuss possible gambling strategies for their upcoming Vegas trip.
- Touches on the ongoing “soul contract” for Eddie—Bobby brings an actual contract for Eddie to sign for $300 if he loses big gambling.
- Games discussed: Dolphins–Bills, Packers–Browns, Colts–Titans, Bengals–Vikings, and more.
- Bobby (joking about the soul contract):
“I may not resell your soul to demons or spirits without your written consent.” (59:32) - Cowboys–Bears spread confusion, discussion on worst-case Arkansas scenarios vs. Memphis.
- Final jokes about watching games in Vegas and superstitions.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Eddie (on selling his soul):
“I can’t agree to sell $200. I can’t do it. I can’t.” (05:47) - Bobby (on Cowboys games):
“When I watch the Cowboys, I want them to win by 40. And at halftime start cooking dinner…” (14:19) - Brandon Marcello (on Dabo Swinney):
“Clemson’s not what it used to be and it may not ever again because of this current era of NIL and revenue sharing.” (35:19) - Marcello (on Jackson Arnold):
“He’s a gamer, right? He will rush for 100 yards if you need to. That’s what he did against Baylor.” (39:17) - Bobby (joking about betting strategies):
“Just go… and bet opposite everything you really feel. Go full Costanza.” (23:50) - Marcello, on TV recommendations:
“Cena is a great actor in it. He’s perfect for that role. …James Gunn…everything’s funny…very hard to strike that balance.” (50:05)
Episode Flow and Tone
- The episode combines fast banter and inside jokes (especially about the “soul” bet, golf, and NFL trivia), with deep dives into college football news and analysis.
- The presence of recurring guests and inside references gives the show an approachable “friends hanging out” vibe even as it delivers thoughtful sports commentary.
- Bobby prioritizes listener engagement, with a segment answering a listener voicemail and quick shouts to fans of past games and bits.
Recommended Segments, by Topic
- For light banter and bets (Soul): 04:27–08:25, 59:00–64:08
- For listener/member questions and personal rivalry (Golf): 09:19–12:52
- For NFL trivia game: 24:15–29:49
- For College football fans (Brandon Marcello interview): 34:26–53:58
- For Weekend NFL game picks: 57:56–63:55
Conclusion
This episode blends the show’s unique brand of playful ribbing—highlighted by the ongoing “buy your soul” gag and sports trivia stumpers—with serious college football coverage. The interview with Brandon Marcello is a must-listen for college football fans interested in the inner workings of recruiting, coaching changes, and real-time analysis of top programs.
For further details on any discussed topic, timestamps provide quick reference to specific segments and quotable moments.
