The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Miami-Notre Dame Reaction Show
Date: September 1, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz & Crew

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, post-game reaction to the Miami Hurricanes' dramatic win over Notre Dame, featuring candid analysis, emotional responses, and plenty of irreverent banter. The crew dissects the pivotal plays, the conservatism of coaches, breakout stars, and the broader college football landscape—all while maintaining their distinct blend of Miami swagger and sharp critique.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Casino Antics & Team Vibes

• Show starts with Jessica, Billy, and Tony joking about playing slots at the Elser Hotel, setting the loose, playful tone ([00:43–01:40]).
• Observation about how beat up and celebrated the team (and the crew) are after Miami’s big win:
  • "I've never seen you look this bad in your life." — Mike ([02:20])
  • "That was a big win in year four. That was a really fun night. Not quite 2017 levels, but... really fun for Miami." — Dan ([02:34])

Miami’s Statement Win—But Are They “Back”?

• Miami beats a top-10 team again—both times since 2017, it was Notre Dame.
• Ongoing debate: “Is The U back?”
  • Record since Larry Coker: 16–40 vs. Top 25; Cristobal just 2–6 in these matchups ([02:46]).
• Billy raises skepticism about whether Miami can be called “back” with those numbers.

Notre Dame’s Resilience & Key Play Analysis

• Jessica, a Notre Dame fan, credits the Irish for resilience in the 2nd half, but admits Miami was in control early; the game swung on a few “fluky” plays ([03:42]):
  • “Notre Dame was very resilient in the second half… Miami got really conservative.” — Jessica ([03:42])
• Breakdowns of specific wild moments:
  • RPO interception with a ricochet off a Miami player’s cleat
  • “The touchdown before halftime that gave Miami the lead was an absolutely ridiculous play.”

Defensive Play & Athlete Spotlight

• Crew raves about Miami’s defense and athleticism, singling out the interception where a Miami DB “hit the football with his foot” while airborne:
  • “He was… above everybody who was trying to catch the football...” — Billy ([05:14])
• Malachi Toney, an electric 17-year-old Miami freshman wide receiver, “announces himself” with a game-changing performance:
  • “You saw the speed… It’s not a normal thing… He gets a little extra stardom… I did not know… he’s 17 years old.” — Billy ([07:35])

Coaching Conservatism: Miami & Notre Dame

• Miami's second-half shift to conservative play-calling draws widespread critique:

  • “It was maddening to see them play so conservatively…” — Billy ([07:35])

• Crystal Ball's trust in his defense over his offense, especially in the fourth quarter, frustrates fans ([18:50], [35:16], [35:55]).

• Notre Dame’s new DC, Chris Ash, less aggressive than predecessor Al Golden:

  • “He’s just not calling a super aggressive game plan.” — Mike ([09:06])
  • “Notre Dame just didn’t let their backs do enough.” — Mike ([15:24])

Quarterbacking & Moment of Maturity

• Carson Beck (Miami QB) under scrutiny:

  • Notable moment: Beck overwhelmed and crying post-game, “talking about what a hard eight months it has been” ([24:25]).
  • "The narrative around him…played out publicly…he had a tough departure from Georgia, a public breakup, a stolen Lamborghini..." — Dan ([24:47])
  • "I think Carson Beck really matured a lot over this offseason. That was a lot for a dude in his early 20s." — Dan ([26:55])

• Criticism of both QBs’ play under pressure:

  • “Both touchdowns by Carson [Beck]…he was getting hit. He didn’t see either.” — Billy ([11:39])
  • “I don’t know if Notre Dame has a great pass rush. I'm not convinced.” — Mike ([19:28], [19:53])

Ground Games, Stats & Style Comparisons

• Statistical breakdowns for rushing performance & explosive plays:
  • “Notre Dame's explosive play rate was 12%. Miami's was 4%... Based on the eye test…statistically, not a great rushing night.” — Mike ([17:40])
• Miami’s depth at running back credited after losing talent to injuries ([30:52]).

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• Resilience vs. Luck:

  • “It has to look a certain way, and it's starting to look a certain way for Miami. They have the athletes.” — Dan ([05:45])
  • “But I was really impressed with CJ Carr's poise as he grew into the game.” — Dan ([05:49])

• On Malachi Toney:

  • “The best receiver on the field is 17 years old.” — Dan ([13:40])
  • “He was doing whip routes where guys were getting left in the dust.” — Tony ([12:33])
  • “Fair catching that ball inside the five was a huge mistake, but Malachi Toney has a legit chance to catch Restrepo's records.” — Dan ([13:40])

• On coaching decisions:

  • “If you trust your offensive line… I don't understand Mario not trying to score a touchdown there.” — Mike ([35:53])

• Carson Beck’s journey:

  • “He had a public breakup with a girlfriend…a Lamborghini got stolen…He was living in a $5.2 million house in South Miami…We all have our struggles.” — Dan, Chris, Tony ([24:47–26:51])

• Fan Anxiety:

  • “I was just caught up in a force field of anxiety and I had to get the hell out of there.” — Dan, on watching the final kick ([60:38])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Casino jokes & the crew's post-win condition: [00:43–01:40]
• Analysis: Is Miami “back”, big win reaction: [02:34–03:42]
• Notre Dame’s gritty comeback, wild turnovers: [03:42–05:14; 10:21–12:33]
• Malachi Toney breakout & Miami’s young stars: [07:35–13:40]
• Second-half conservatism debate: [18:50–19:53; 35:16–36:31]
• Carson Beck’s emotional story & public narrative: [24:25–27:39]
• Discussion of NCAA's evolving offensive/defensive trends: [17:40–18:21; 53:43–54:45]
• Game-winning kick & final sequence anxiety: [59:18–61:03]
• Wider college football landscape (Alabama, OSU, Texas, etc.): [41:37–48:42]

Broader College Football Talk

• Alabama’s new struggles post-Saban:
  • DeBoer losing to unranked teams, Saban’s absurd win rates ([41:37])
• Lee Corso nails picks in emotional moment: [43:19]
• Arch Manning struggles mightily against OSU:
  • “Arch had a really bad game…but it’s hard to go on the road…” — Mike, Billy ([47:39–49:35])

Noteworthy Moments in Original Tone

• “It’s a funny thing to say: He endured a lot this off-season. His Lambo got stolen. That’s a funny thing to say.” — Billy ([27:58])
• “A man is a man, a man gets tempted. There’s only so much he could do.” — Tony, joking about Beck’s alleged breakup ([26:03])

Takeaways

• Miami’s win was earned but unspectacular—excellent trenches, phenomenal first impressions from young players, questions linger about offensive explosiveness and aggression.
• Notre Dame showed tenacity but needed more playmaking and identity, particularly after losing key coaches and players.
• Carson Beck seems poised to shed a drama-filled narrative and emerge as a steadying force; Malachi Toney is a name to know.
• Both fan bases—mirrored on the show—are uncertain, nervous, and maybe a little hungover from drama and hope.
• The wider college football world is in flux: blue bloods—Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame—are being challenged, and Week 1 revealed more questions than answers.

This episode captures the agony, euphoria, and neurotic speculation of major college football fandom—with a side of Miami flash and a dash of existential dread.