Podcast Summary: "Hour 2: College Football Is BACK"

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Date: August 19, 2025
Main Guests: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Jessica Smetana, Greg Cote, Billy, Jeremy, Des

Episode Overview

This lively hour bounces between the imminent return of college football and the trademark absurdist banter of the Le Batard crew. With Jessica Smetana joining (known for her podcast "Echoes" with Mike Golic Jr.), the group tackles everything from branding controversies in college football (Week Zero vs. “Long Week One”), NIL-induced recruiting drama, and Auburn’s creative national championship count—plus detours into popcorn, press conferences as fan experiences, and the merits (or not) of weight classes in Little League. It’s a heady, playful mix of insight, debate, and running jokes, all wrapped in anticipation for a chaotic new season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Popcorn, Podcasts & Chicago Pride

• [01:59–02:39] The episode kicks off with a lighthearted exchange about Chicago’s obsession with caramel-cheddar popcorn (shouted out via ex-NBA player Eddie Curry’s new podcast, “Caramel & Cheddar”).
  • Jessica Smetana: "[The cheddar-caramel combo] is a Garrett's popcorn thing that people come from all over the place and get in those big, you know, tins of popcorn. And it's a delicious combo. You wouldn't expect it, but I mean, it's been around as long as I've been around..."

2. Debate: Week Zero vs. “Long Week One” Branding

• [03:03–04:03] The crew notes how ESPN and others are downplaying the “Week Zero” moniker, trying to rebrand the early slate of games.
  • Dan: "Why was it ever called Week Zero? It's got branding, pal! And it’s Week Zero."
  • Jessica pushbacks, saying some outlets still use the term, if less loudly.

3. Journalism & ESPN’s NFL Relationship

• [04:39–05:43] Dan raises the ethical tightrope ESPN walks, now that the NFL has a direct stake. Jessica and Greg discuss the reality of implicit pressure in media:
  • Jessica: "...I think the concept of for-profit journalism just, it’s not something that goes together."
  • Both agree subtle pressures shape coverage, even without explicit instructions.

4. Notre Dame QB Drama & Auburn’s Absurd Play-calling

• [05:44–07:24] Query: Why can’t Notre Dame settle on a starting QB? Jessica downplays any real crisis and segues into Auburn’s chaotic approach—three QBs, three play-callers, and multiplying confusion.
  • Jessica: "I mean, I think it's at least better than Auburn's situation... three play callers, three quarterbacks. I mean, I think that's nine different combinations if I'm doing the math correctly."

5. Auburn & the Tall Tale of National Championships

• [07:38–09:32] Auburn suddenly claims nine national titles, adding multiple ancient years (and even 2004, when they didn’t win the BCS).
  • Jessica: "If you want to claim that UCF [was national champ], like, that’s fine. Good for you guys...but people are probably going to make fun of you, especially if you are Auburn."
  • Billy: “If you’re Auburn, you should be above just deciding, you know what? I woke up today and I have now more national championships. More dignity.”

6. USC NIL Maneuvers & Recruiting Edge

• [16:49–19:29] USC has 32 commitments for the class of 2026; Dan and Jessica discuss the unique state law letting them pay high schoolers NIL money (before NCAA clearinghouse approval). Jessica notes USC’s renewed focus on local recruiting after struggles by head coach Lincoln Riley.
  • Dan: “What do you make of USC kind of exploiting these rules and paying high schoolers directly?”
  • Jessica: “I think the bigger thing for USC was that they were losing a lot of the recruiting battles around their region...”

7. The Business of Fan Access: Oklahoma Sells Press Conference Seats

• [19:57–23:13] Weirder ways to monetize college football: Oklahoma is charging fans ~$679 for seats at post-game press conferences… where they can’t even ask questions.
  • Jessica: “Why would you want to? It’s so boring!”
  • Billy: “I think even a fan will sit in one and be like, I don’t need to do it again, though.”

8. Should Little League Have Weight Classes?

• [24:04–25:51] Greg suggests splitting Little League by both age and weight to prevent mismatches; Jessica and others foreground the potential for hurt feelings.
  • Jessica: “I think we should protect children's feelings sometimes!"

9. Indiana’s Laughably Easy Non-Conference Schedule

• [26:52–30:21] Dan and Jessica break down Indiana’s “SEC-model” scheduling: five years without a single Power Four non-conference opponent.
  • Jessica: "It is sort of an abomination...Yeah, it’s like you drop a game to Ohio State or Michigan...but you still have these three wins under your belt going into conference play...just is really, really lame and not fun to watch."

10. Random Top Fives, Posters, and Nicknames

• [30:31–36:19] Jeremy and Jessica audit the previous day’s show, spinning off into mini top fives (best baseball nicknames, posters from his childhood room).
  • Standout nickname: "Cal Raleigh, the Big Dumper."
  • Posters: Beatles-themed, 1998 home run chase, "The Joker: Why So Serious?" ("The Dark Knight is far superior to The Dark Knight Rises.")

11. Stanford’s Tumultuous Offseason & Hawaii Game Preview

• [37:02–38:50] Jessica explains Stanford’s odd predicament: mid-spring coaching resignation due to bullying allegations, Andrew Luck as interim GM, Frank Reich as interim head coach, and poor transfer/portal results.
  • Jessica: "...interim coach in college football, is that a thing that happens very often for a full season? No..."
  • The group notes Hawai'i is a rare favorite.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ESPN Editorial Pressure:

  • "You don't have to be told, but there's just pressure...I think the concept of for-profit journalism just, it’s not something that goes together."
    – Jessica Smetana [05:11]

• On Auburn’s Newfound National Titles:

  • "How did Auburn just wake up today and say, you know what, we have nine national championships now. Thank you everybody. Moving on."
    – Billy [07:38]

• On Oklahoma Fans Paying for Press Conferences:

  • "Why would you want to? It’s so boring! The game is so much more exciting."
    – Jessica Smetana [20:27]

• On Indiana’s Scheduling Philosophy:

  • "He’s not even trying to fool anyone...He has blatantly been like we're going to do a quote, “SEC model of scheduling” and schedule FCS teams every year."
    – Jessica Smetana [27:23]

• On NIL & USC’s Approach:

  • "They operate in a state...where you can actually pay NIL to high schoolers before you actually have to present that to the Clearinghouse."
    – Dan Le Batard [17:11]

• Snappy Banter:

  • "If you’re Avery Johnson and you’re not Avery Johnson, you got to have a different name."
    – Des [16:49]
  • "You know who should be cheating? Mrs. Met on Mr. Met. And he can watch if he wants."
    – Jessica Smetana [26:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:09] Chicago Popcorn Culture
• [03:09] “Week Zero” Branding Debate
• [04:39] ESPN’s NFL Ownership: Journalism & Ethics
• [05:44] Notre Dame/Auburn QB Sagas
• [07:38] Auburn’s Claim to 9 National Championships
• [10:33] Weekend Coaching Debuts, UNLV, and Sicko's Delight Games
• [16:49] Avery Johnson Name Confusion & USC NIL Loopholes
• [19:57] Oklahoma Sells Press Conference Access
• [24:04] Little League Weight Class Debate
• [26:52] Indiana’s “SEC-Style” Non-Conference Scheduling
• [30:31] Show Audit, Nicknames, Posters, The Beatles, The Joker
• [37:02] Stanford’s Coaching Crisis and Hawaii Preview

Tone & Style

Conversational, irreverent, and opinionated—Dan and crew blend actual analysis with plenty of detours, inside jokes, and gleeful mockery of sports’ traditions and absurdities. Smetana brings energy and deep CFB knowledge, never above roasting her own alma mater or mocking the sport’s tendency toward self-mythologizing.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers classic Le Batard: part sports preview, part industry critique, and part comedic chaos, all underpinned by a genuine excitement for the unpredictability of college football’s new season. If you want updates on bizarre schedule machinations, NIL impact, or just want a laugh about popcorn and national championship claims, this hour is a must.