The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Episode Summary: Gen CFB: No One Believes in the Dawgs
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Introduction
In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve deep into the latest happenings in college football, offering their unique perspectives on key games, standout performances, and controversial moments from the weekend's action. The discussion is enriched with personal anecdotes, humorous takes, and insightful analysis, making it engaging even for listeners who might not follow every game closely.
Georgia Bulldogs: A Season of Doubts and Triumphs
Main Focus: Georgia's Recent Victory and Kirby Smart's Defense
The hosts kick off the conversation with Georgia's recent win over Tennessee, emphasizing the team's persistent struggle to earn respect despite consistent top-five rankings.
- Dan Le Batard [03:11]: “They never do. They're always constantly doubted. A team that's always in the top five consistently, no one ever believes in them.”
Stugotz highlights the significance of Carson Beck's performance, noting his dual touchdown prowess which was crucial for Georgia's success.
- Stugotz [04:00]: “Beck looked a lot better. He had two touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. The Georgia offense, EPA per play, 89th percentile. EPA per drop back, 92nd percentile. That's pretty good.”
The conversation underscores Georgia's resilience, especially against a strong Tennessee defense, and touches on playoff implications, acknowledging their upcoming challenging schedule against Georgia Tech.
Clemson vs. Pitt: A Game of Errors and Heroic Plays
Main Focus: Clemson's Dramatic Win and Pitt's Costly Mistakes
The discussion shifts to the thrilling matchup between Clemson and Pitt, where Clemson's Cade Klubnik made a game-changing 50-yard touchdown run, overshadowing Pitt's numerous penalties and offensive struggles.
- Stugotz [06:50]: “My favorite stat of the entire weekend was this Cade Klubnik 50-yard touchdown run. Because Jess, I'm sure you probably know the answer to this. Do you how many rushing yards Clemson had before that? It was eight.”
They dissect the game's pivotal moments, particularly Pitt's series of penalties that derailed their chances, leading to Clemson's improbable victory.
- Dan Le Batard [07:08]: “That is just crazy. Crazy. Absolutely. Like stole this game for Clemson.”
The hosts also touch on the broader playoff implications, mentioning Clemson's potential fate being influenced by other teams' performances.
BYU's Disappointing Season and Big 12 Dynamics
Main Focus: BYU's Unexpected Loss and Arizona State's Remarkable Turnaround
The episode covers BYU's unexpected loss to Kansas, expressing surprise over their performance and analyzing the Big 12's competitive landscape.
- Stugotz [09:10]: “BYU has been playing with their food. They've been messing around. It was only a matter of time.”
In contrast, Arizona State's impressive 7-2 record is celebrated, highlighting their resilience despite NCAA penalties and coaching challenges.
- Dan Le Batard [22:04]: “They’ve just become a really, really solid football team that's going really under the radar.”
The hosts praise quarterback Sam Levitz and running back Scattaboo for their pivotal roles in Arizona State's success, emphasizing the importance of a competent quarterback in college football.
LSU vs. Florida: Statistical Anomalies and Efficiency
Main Focus: Florida's Efficient Offense vs. LSU's Struggles
Analyzing LSU's loss to Florida, the hosts discuss the stark contrast in time of possession and offensive efficiency between the two teams.
- Stugotz [11:02]: “LSU had the ball for 41 minutes and lost compared to Florida's 18. LSU statistically dominated this game, but they gave up seven sacks, more than they had the entire year combined.”
They commend Florida's offensive efficiency and criticize LSU's inability to capitalize on their time of possession, predicting tough times ahead for LSU as they face potential repercussions on their season standings.
- Dan Le Batard [13:26]: “Luc et Brian Kelly's 10-game a season win streak is no more. It's probably gone. It's goodbye.”
Louisville vs. Stanford: Penalties and Unbelievable Endings
Main Focus: Stanford's Last-Minute Field Goal and Louisville's Penalty Woes
The hosts recount Louisville's frustrating loss to Stanford, emphasizing the series of penalties that led to Stanford's dramatic 52-yard game-winning field goal.
- Dan Le Batard [14:00]: “They just got a one-yard play which ended up turning into a 15-yard play because Louisville was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Stugotz humorously points out the absurdity of the penalties and their impact on the game's outcome.
- Stugotz [15:17]: “It's so brutal, dummy.”
The conversation also touches on similar penalty-related incidents in other games, highlighting a trend of officiating mishaps affecting game results.
Wisconsin's Coaching Conundrum and Identity Crisis
Main Focus: Wisconsin's Struggles Under Luke Fickles and Offensive Failures
Delving into Wisconsin's disappointing season, the hosts criticize head coach Luke Fickles for deviating from the team's traditional running-focused identity, leading to poor performance against top-tier opponents.
- Stugotz [19:01]: “Wisconsin is a team I'm incredibly fascinated by because the Luke Fickle hire, like, and this was that weird sort of everybody was hired coaching cycle at 2020, 21, whatever it was.”
They argue that Fickles' attempt to overhaul the offensive strategy alienated the team from its strengths, resulting in inefficiency and a lack of coherence on the field.
- Dan Le Batard [20:18]: “Wisconsin was much, very much a school that's like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”
The discussion concludes with reflections on the broader implications for Wisconsin's future under the current coaching regime.
Notre Dame vs. Army: Strategy and Anticipation
Main Focus: Forecasting the Outcome of Notre Dame's Clash with Army
Looking ahead, the hosts preview the upcoming game between Notre Dame and Army, analyzing Army's option-heavy offense and Notre Dame's defensive strengths.
- Stugotz [23:08]: “Army plays the option. They are going to try to run the ball for 18 plays, 14 minutes, 80-yard drives and just choke Notre Dame out of it.”
Despite Army's strategic approach, both hosts remain cautiously optimistic about Notre Dame's chances, considering them a two-touchdown favorite based on their track record against similar opponents.
Indiana vs. Ohio State: A Historic Rivalry in Focus
Main Focus: Indiana's Performance and Ohio State's Expectations
The episode highlights the significance of the Indiana vs. Ohio State game, labeling it as one of the biggest in Indiana's history. The hosts discuss Indiana's strong run defense and Ohio State's offensive challenges this season.
- Dan Le Batard [24:16]: “The biggest game in Indiana football history.”
They speculate on the potential outcome, with a consensus leaning towards an Ohio State victory, albeit acknowledging Indiana's capability to contest closely.
- Stugotz [25:40]: “I think two weeks ago after the Michigan game I was like, Ohio State going to kill this team. But the more I have thought about it… it might be a lot closer than I was thinking.”
Arizona State's Resurgence and Future Prospects
Main Focus: Arizona State's Season Turnaround and Playoff Hopes
Continuing with Arizona State, the hosts commend the team's turnaround under Kenny Dillingham's coaching, emphasizing the contributions of quarterback Sam Levitz and running back Scattaboo.
- Dan Le Batard [22:54]: “Shout out to Kenny Dillingham for that. Notre Dame plays Army this weekend at Yankee Stadium.”
They express optimism about Arizona State's potential to remain in playoff contention, highlighting their consistent performance and ability to win critical games despite past setbacks.
- Stugotz [22:54]: “They’ve just become a really, really solid football team that's going really under the radar.”
Other Notable Moments and Light-Hearted Commentary
Main Focus: Humorous Takes and Personal Anecdotes
Throughout the episode, Dan and Stugotz interject humorous observations and personal stories, such as reacting to mascot antics and celebrating birthdays, adding a relatable and entertaining layer to the discussion.
- Stugotz [27:06]: “Happy birthday, Hannah.”
They also share amusing incidents like mascots' mishaps and viewer comments, fostering a sense of community and shared enthusiasm among listeners.
Conclusion
In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Dan and Stugotz provide a comprehensive and entertaining analysis of the college football landscape, covering pivotal games, standout performances, and the underlying narratives shaping the season. Their blend of insightful commentary, humor, and personal anecdotes offers listeners a well-rounded perspective on the sport, capturing both the excitement and frustrations that come with college football fandom.
Notable Quotes:
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Dan Le Batard [03:11]: “They never do. They're always constantly doubted. A team that's always in the top five consistently, no one ever believes in them.”
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Stugotz [04:00]: “Beck looked a lot better. He had two touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. The Georgia offense, EPA per play, 89th percentile. EPA per drop back, 92nd percentile. That's pretty good.”
-
Dan Le Batard [07:08]: “That is just crazy. Crazy. Absolutely. Like stole this game for Clemson.”
-
Stugotz [15:17]: “It's so brutal, dummy.”
-
Dan Le Batard [20:18]: “Wisconsin was much, very much a school that's like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”
-
Stugotz [25:40]: “I think two weeks ago after the Michigan game I was like, Ohio State going to kill this team. But the more I have thought about it… it might be a lot closer than I was thinking.”
This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, highlighting the key discussions and memorable moments that define The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz's engaging take on college football.