
Loading summary
A
Folks, I'm getting hungry. And you know my favorite part of any meal, snack, or game day app? That's right, the goat. Or should I say the greatest of all time, Frank's Red Hot. It's got the perfect blend of flavor and heat that elevates all foods from wings to Buffalo chicken dip to even ice cream. That's right, I said ice cream. And with a roster of flavors from OG to sweet chili, you can put that on everything. So make every dish the greatest and eat the goat.
B
Close your eyes, exhale, feel your body relax, and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh, my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste.
C
Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-contacts.
B
But you know who else's hometown it is Fernando Mendoza.
D
Fernando Mendoza, the Miami native playing Miami in Miami. I mean, this is storybook stuff. This is incredible. Such an honor to be from Miami and have the opportunity to put Miami on this stage.
E
You've had quite the year, Fernando. It wasn't long ago when you were losing games at Cal. Now you're smoking fools, Fernando. You should be returning home as Miami's favorite son. And we have a great idea of what exactly you can do to get that done. How cool would it be if the Hurricanes would win this game, Fernando, you've already got a heart. You'd be our greatest hero. And, you know, you'd never have to pay for croquetas again. Do a solid for Miami Dade and throw this game, Fernando. Just do a solid for Miami Dade and throw this game, Fernando.
F
Doing things in a little bit of a different order today because of everything we've got going on. A reminder again, we're gonna be going live for four hours tonight. We're gonna do the post game here with juju in a second. And then we're gonna have hour two today be a host of content from last week. Some of the best of stuff we did last week in order to get you properly hyped for what it is that we're doing. But before we get to juju, just real quick, because Dan Arlofsky says that if Indiana wins the national championship, it will become the greatest turnaround in sports, not just in college football. And I walked in during the break when Sedano was doing Kane's chants all around me. And Lucy and Demek were trying to put this into context, this particular program, playing in this particular game. And they were struggling to find the context historically anywhere in sports there.
C
There is none. Like Indiana was the losing as power four team until this season. Literally this season. Northwestern is now worse, but they're still one of the losing his teams in college football history. And college football, I think out of like the, you know, major sports we watch in this country is the most difficult to win a national championship. You're competing with 130 teams. And Indiana, like I. They were an afterthought and people did not go to their games. I had to go to a couple Indiana games when Iowa played them in college. And you'd be like, okay, there may be a thousand people here.
G
Like, oh, now listen, that may be true, but we were right next door tailgating in the rolling hill hills nearby. It's autumn, don't you know, in southern Indiana. And the glory of the. The color of the colorful trees before. Well, why would I. Why would I spend my time watching us lose by. By five touchdowns to Michigan again?
C
We did. I. To put it in perspective, I will put 60 on them. Like they were really just a horrible, horrible team. I know. And so it's it. I. I'm having such a hard time finding.
G
We had Randall, we had Trent Green, we had our moments, we had Anthony Thompson.
C
You can't. You guys can claim Michael Pennock Jr. If you want to. He was there. He was awesome there. It was like there is not a comparison at all.
H
You see that.
C
I know, but.
G
But winless in 2015, undefeated national champions.
D
Not two years later, obviously Scotty Matrix.
C
Left and now has returned. But to go from how bad Indiana was to a national title game. And I think what's most important about it is not that it was like, okay, they went from terrible to national title game. They were in the playoff last year. So we're seeing sustained success. And you're already seeing that in the. With the portal classes they have bringing in that are as good as anybody's. Like, there is not a comparison to.
G
Well, what are they though, Lucy is. It is. I know I keep invoking the Bernie Kosar Canes, but that would be the closest comp that we've seen.
F
UCF was winless two years before they went undefeated and then were denied an opportunity to play in this game. If they had done what they did preach this season, they'd be playing in.
D
This game, I've never loved you more.
G
Than I find that a little uninspiring is at all time.
C
I think it's different though because this doesn't look like a one off thing to Indiana.
D
It wasn't a one off thing. They were undefeated.
C
The next season it might feel like, okay, 25 straight, something that like will never happen again. But you have to look at what Signetti is building right now that's really important about like last season's transition to this one and that they didn't lose any of their staff and it doesn't look like they're going to lose any of their staff next year. Like you, it is so unheard of in this sport to see this turnaround and the ripple effect that it's going to have across the sport where now every job is 10 times harder because they want you to be what Signetti is and that is impossible. And it's not just money because teams with more money than Indiana are getting beat by Indiana.
G
That's a great point by Lucy. If you want to be cynical as I have been about this. It's hard to really embrace individually these guys because they'd never been on the campus in Bloomington until about six months ago. But Lucy is exactly right. Other teams went out and tried to buy proximity to a national title and didn't get nearly as close as the Hoosiers have in about 18 months.
C
There's been a lot of conversation of like, Indiana has a bunch of old men and they bought these players and they brought them in. Most of these guys have been with Signetti through his tenure. They were with him at James Madison. Those are a lot of group of five guys that came over last year and immediately became a playoff team. It is unheard of what he has done in this amount of time in this fashion. And to look the way they have looked these playoffs because they're not squeaking by in these games. They're beating the brakes off of Alabama, off of Oregon, a team they beat twice easily. Like, I just. It's so hard to even articulate what this is because we'll never see anything like this in college football again. I really don't think so.
F
I don't know how it is that you guys experienced the football weekend, but I felt legitimately bad for Jujugati losing that game that way. And now you would have had Bill's Patriots. Now you've got Patriots. Stidham, you, how did you take yesterday? Where does that one rank in terms of most crushing losses that you've experienced and welcome. I really did feel for you yesterday.
I
Yes sir. I feel like James Franco on that one meme. Looking over first time here like this is how every single year ends. As a Bills fan, I focus more so on the position we put ourselves in. Like of course the referee is going to get a lot of flat for them calls. But Josh Allen, you don't fumble before halftime. We save three points. That Cook, that, that Cook fumble changed the entire game. That fumble, we get points out of that. Also that throw to Shakir, he left it short. That could have been the first down at the end of the game. Also that throw to Kincaid, it's a lot of stuff we could have been done different. There we go. That's how I feel because I, I just want to focus more so on the accountability. Accountability of Superman, who I believe in. And he said it right at the end of the game to me. Like I know that, that his teammates got his back but plays the interception, that's on Josh bro. And we got to do a little better job than that.
H
Fire McDermott was obvious, right?
I
Juju not actually I disagree because McDermott had that defense plan. Our run defense showed up yesterday. Our defense secondary showed up. In my opinion what bit us is Brandon Beans inability to make moves at the trade deadline or make the proper draft picks. Yes, you're celebrated brother for drafting Josh Allen, but what have you done for me lately? And if we would have shored up that respect receiving core, I think that would have done us way better than anything Shaman Dermot can do, let alone that Diana Rossini and reporting and everyone reporting right now. Brandon Bean has been promoted to president of football operations as well as the gm. So they doubling down on this mistake. So I think Shamadermi got a raw deal.
F
It's pretty interesting what he says of the draft picks. I don't know if you guys saw this stat during the Patriots game, but the Patriots, there are only three teams in the sport that got more plays from rookies this year than the Patriots did. The Titans, the Jets, the Browns. All unbelievably shitty teams like the three. And, and then, then, then you've got the Patriots. The difference in that division, the difference in everything that's happening is in that margin. The Bills needed to get a receiver. They needed to get something at the trade deadline. You can't be throwing to Brandon Cooks off the waiver wire. He's not a good receiver. He's just fast like he. You saw why and how he's not a good receiver on the two balls that he should have caught that he didn't end up holding on to. I'm surprised you're not more crushed though by this juju that you're. You're just sort of understanding or numb, I guess.
I
Yeah, I mean I. I had the blessed opportunity about a year ago to go to therapy, bruh. And before that I would. I would be so sad in all these moments. But I'm just looking in within, bro, what can we do better for next year? Josh, you know you shouldn't have been holding that ball like a potato before halftime. We should have kneeled that ball and went to halftime. Those mist were made and I think that if we improve upon those as well as attack this free agency. Breaking news out of breaking news right now. Diana Rossini reports that the Bill's head coaching search is looking like it's going to be Brian Dabo day ball, however you want to say it.
F
Yeah, Josh Allen likes him. He needed the breaking sound break. Breaking news sound. The the Bills were very close. I saw this stat during the game yesterday when you have a three turnover disadvantage playoffs playoff teams historically 1 in 85. In those games, the Bills were very close to making that number two.
A
I can't believe Josh Allen never has won an overtime game in his entire career. That was just wild, right?
I
Bro?
A
It's got to be random a little.
I
But just odd, bro. I felt it when I'm watching the game cuz my girl, she as big as Buffalo fan as me. We watching the game. We already know what's going to happen. Man. We talking to each other already like all right, the confetti is going to fall. It's going to be orange and blue. B Knicks is going to make a little statement. Ain't gonna like it baby. But hey, get prepared. But as far as Joe Bo Nicks though, I do feel for that brother. Because imagine working your whole life to get to this moment and then you fall and get an injury like that is going to take you out of the chance to get the super bowl. Like bro, pray us to Bo Nicks and the family.
F
Man, put it on the poll, please. Are all of Indiana's players older than bo nicks at LeBatard show? What do you have otherwise on the playoffs? Any other playoff thoughts?
I
Juju, bro. C.J. stroud, man, I'm with my boy Tony, bro. I think I. I mean I know that what that would have said to have pulled C.J. stroud in that moment. But damn all that man. You got. Sometimes you got to say something to A young brother. We need you to sit down because some of the mistakes you can't make these in the playoffs. You made them last week and we, we barely scrun snuck past Pittsburgh and they only score six points. You making this mistake with a chance to go to the AFC championship on the line. Dumb turnovers. Dumb like like the, the, the picks he threw was like whoa, wait, what did you see there? Why did you duck farts in the air, bro. I would have sat his behind down. Davis Mills give us a great chance to win. So I mean and on top of that too, I didn't agree with the Texans choice to punt the ball on 4th and 18. Right. Talk about his ass so gutless like.
H
Tamiko Ryan just, just throw a white.
A
Towel on the but in that weather I kind of agree. You're more likely to get a fumbled punt than then then Stroud getting you out of that.
H
You have to try to win. I mean I wasn't trying to win but that's besides the point. They weren't going to score anyway. I mean it's, it's whatever. But it's funny because did you see yesterday the clip going around on.
I
On.
H
On Twitter? Dan, where you go back to. Yeah, I guess it was last year. Last year where after the Texans beat the Bears in a regular season game and it was CJ Stroud, he was like son and Caleb Williams after the game like he was giving him the pep talk.
A
Hang in there.
H
Do this, do this, do this. Like CJ Shroud sucks and Caleb Williams is awesome.
I
Right bro. CJ Stroud even went on the podcast and said the top five quarterbacks in the league name himself left Josh Allen. Now it's all goofy man. His whole career at this point. It better turn up fast.
G
Here's the thing though. For Juju and Bill's fans and again glass half empty talk draft or otherwise. Josh Allen, like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow have already played on their best team. They are going to have to carry more of the load, not less. The big draft pick swing and miss is Keon Coleman. That could have made things right. Specifically addressing the receivers. But that's the bad news for Josh Allen and everybody who wants to apologize for him. It's only going to get tougher if he wants to get to a Super Bowl.
F
Juju, do you have a top five list for us?
I
Yes, sir, ma'. Am. As soon as we lost the game yesterday, my brain started working okay, free agent transactions because my Eagles already lost two. Do what? All I can do is look forward so it made me come up with a top five free agent. Not even free agent. Top five transactions that will happen this off season. Starting with number five, Alvin Camara to the Browns. It's gonna happen because Quinn Sean Judkins went down with a gruesome injury. They're gonna need to feel that position as well as support the young brother Shador moving forward.
F
Number four.
I
What you think about that, Dave?
G
I'd be surprised if they are fully committed to Shador in 2026. But I don't know if Alvin Kamara is a perfect fit. AFC north, but otherwise number four.
I
Number four. With the. With the looming retirement looming. Kyle Pitts to the Chiefs. I like that he's. He's gonna become amazing too. Like bro, Kyle Pitt's gonna be fire as hell as a chief. Falcons got a new coach Stefanski. And let me tell you boy, my homeboys in Atlanta are mad as hell. Nobody likes that brother. Neither here nor there. Number three, A.J. brown to the Patriots. The writings on the wild man Vrabel. He, he, he. I can see you Vrabel, just such a good guy. He gonna keep his guys close and I think that he gonna go there.
G
It's wild to think. But they do. The Eagles. It feels like they do have to move on from A.J. brown. Right?
H
Yeah, I could see it.
A
Yeah.
F
Number. I mean the Patriots won yesterday because their receivers. Both of them. Because the digs catch was impressive too. It wasn't the booty catch, but they won yesterday because their receivers made two giant catches. Number two, bruh.
I
Early in the show. I never seen somebody happier before. You said the booty catch. You couldn't wait to get that one out, bro. I saw it in your eyes, Sal. Number two, Justin Jefferson to the good guys, the Buffalo Bills.
G
Wow.
F
It's gonna take a lot. I like Justin. Yeah, you might like it, but. What's that?
D
No but I love it. That's all that matters.
F
Okay.
G
Let the GMs figure it out.
I
Exactly. Have you seen those Pepsi commercials? Oh, him and Josh look amazing together.
A
Chemistry.
G
They'll field you and me to play defense if that happens.
I
Yep. Cool. Let's go. Me and you and number one. I need your opinion on this one for sure. Dave. Kyler Murray to the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers is gone. It's over with.
F
Yes.
G
Listen, that's who the Steelers are now. They just go out and chase other teams washed up mercenaries to for one season and. And then losing the wild card round. It's a. It's a great formula. Let's keep it going. Yes.
F
Sir.
I
Man. Back to you, Dano. Oh, shoot. Of the day.
H
Dan, I don't know if you've been keeping up with the NBA this weekend, but if we're gonna have a conversation about mvp, we better be including Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. I mean the Timberwolves, they lost this weekend to the Spurs. No shame in that. But the Timberwolves, who have been playing a lot better. Ant man, you know that's what they call him, right Dan? Because his name's Anthony. Anyway, Anthony Edwards.
F
I think you've selected him before. I think he was your second MVP of the day. I'm surprised you're not going bam on a bio here. He has been.
D
That's right.
A
Jeremy can update this.
H
55 points for Anthony Edwards in a loss right this weekend. I don't know if you heard about that. Anthony Edwards. We better have a conversation if we're talking MVP.
I
Fvp of the day.
D
Zaz's second MVP was Victor Weminyama, the guy who Anthony Edwards lost to in that game. He's been MVP twice. This is Anthony Edwards first appearance one.
H
How about that? I told you. That's why we gotta have a conversation about him.
D
Crazy Bama Tobias has been like the best two way player in the league since you guys traded him.
H
He's great.
F
Look how riveted Lucy is by this conversation. You. Oh, we've woken her.
D
You want to talk about Bam?
F
We've woken her from a deep, deep slumber. Snoring like Jessica. Like that lumberjack Jessica.
C
Look, I've been looking at ways. Things are not looking good right now.
G
This is.
F
That's why Mike left early and.
C
And Rose is driving.
D
You need different ways to get there.
F
Chain.
A
Yep. Get out of here.
G
Major penalty. Five minutes. I gotta go to.
I
Damn.
F
Let's update some polls here. Juju at Lebatard show as we take you up to our live stream tomorrow. Tonight night. It's going to go into tomorrow, I would guess if the Hurricanes win. If not, we're just going to turn off all the feeds as soon as.
H
You'Re not going to watch the heat at 10 o'.
D
Clock.
F
Juju, what do you have for us in the way of polls?
I
Are you. Are you ever confident in the wi fi at a College football game? 97% of the audience says no. They are not.
F
We've got everybody joining us. Lucy, Zaz, Mike Ryan, Mark Cuban supposed to join us tonight from the game. We've got no.
A
You think we're going to get Mike from the game? Game. That's interesting. No.
I
Is the targeting penalty like porn? You know it when you see it. 90 of the audience says, yes, it is. And the last poll. Does the cafecito make you honk at everyone? 88 of the audience says, yes, it does. Man. Back to you guys.
F
Check us out. Tonight, 7:30. We were going to have. We're going to have a great deal of fresh and new content for you. And also, and I don't mean this to sound like a threat or something to dissuade you, Damoshek will be here.
G
I don't need the attacks.
Date: January 19, 2026
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Featuring: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, JuJu Gotti, Lucy, Zaz, Dave, others
This episode unfolds in a characteristically loose, spontaneous “postgame” environment before Hour 2 of the show, capturing the crew gathered in downtown Miami to break down the whirlwind weekend in sports—particularly college football’s historic Indiana turnaround, NFL playoff heartbreak, and the state of the Bills—plus JuJu Gotti’s takes and offbeat Top 5 NFL offseason predictions. The mood is equal measures bemused, passionate, and irreverent, punctuated by rapid-fire conversation on the games, coaches, and players, with pop culture references and signature banter throughout.
Fernando Mendoza, Miami’s “favorite son” and the Hurricanes’ hopes:
The Unprecedented Indiana Turnaround:
The cast marvels over Indiana’s journey from “the losingest power four team” to the national championship, noting the historical rarity (03:22, C).
Context & Comparison Attempts:
Sustained Success vs. Fluke:
Juju’s Response to Another Bills Loss:
Evaluation of Coaching and Roster Moves:
JuJu disagrees with the “fire McDermott” crowd, blaming the front office’s draft/trade decisions (08:47, I):
Dan highlights the gap between teams in the AFC East, explaining the Patriots’ (unexpected) rookie snap counts as a sign of their struggles (09:33, F).
Therapy and Fan Resilience:
Breaking News & Historic Stats:
JuJu, ever in “offseason mode,” fires off his boldest possible transaction predictions for 2026:
Alvin Kamara to Browns (15:10, I)
Kyle Pitts to Chiefs (15:23, I)
A.J. Brown to Patriots (15:23, I)
Justin Jefferson to Buffalo Bills (16:28, I)
Kyler Murray to Steelers (17:04, I)
Notable banter: “Let the GMs figure it out.” (16:52, G)
Advocacy for Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves as a true MVP candidate after a 55-point performance, even in a loss.
Dan, Zaz, and the crew riff on Heat center Bam Adebayo’s candidacy and poke fun at each other’s sleeping habits and NBA apathy.
Juju gives updates on LTBS listener polls:
The tone oscillates between irreverent, self-deprecating, and earnest, especially as JuJu Gotti dissects Bills’ heartbreak and laments over “accountability.” Banter flows seamlessly from deep sport knowledge to the nostalgic and absurd, making the camaraderie and coping mechanisms of die-hard fandom front and center.
This episode is a lively, quintessential Le Batard postgame: spontaneous, funny, occasionally poignant, and rewarding for diehard and casual listeners alike.