The Big Suey: The Pocrisy (feat. Nick Wright)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Big Suey – “The Pocrisy” (Feat. Nick Wright)

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
December 3, 2025

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MAIN THEME

This episode of “The Big Suey” is a charged, banter-filled dive into the week’s major sports stories with guest Nick Wright. Coming to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs’ uncharacteristic struggles, Nick bears the brunt of Dan, Stugotz, and the crew’s ribbing, while the show pivots to broader debates on football, college coaches, NBA narratives (with a spicy LeBron discussion), and the ever-shifting power dynamics in big-time sports. The tone is rowdy, self-aware, and loaded with both sharp insight and signature Le Batard Show chaos.

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KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

Opening Antics & Nick Wright’s Arrival (01:46–04:26)

• Stugotz sets the tone ribbing Nick Wright for “coming in whimpering” after the Chiefs’ recent losses (03:03).
• Nick’s Admits Pain: He confesses to both emotional and financial fallout as the Chiefs struggle—with a dry, self-aware humor:

  “I am a bit of a loser. This son of a—You're right. You know what? You're right. I am a loser.” (04:12)

The Chiefs’ Swoon: What Went Wrong? (04:26–12:27)

• Friend Intervention: Nick shares a concern-laden text from his betting buddy, who basically cuts him off from further Chiefs bets out of pity.

  “No more betting for you, bro. I don't want you to feel bad. You can't just keep betting the Chiefs more and more. They don't have it this year.” (05:41, quoting Nacho Barbero)

• Football Analysis:
  • Chiefs are strong on paper, but, “winning is a skill and this year’s team has found ways to lose” (07:33).
  • Identifies poor third-and-long defense as a core issue, worsened since Tyreek Hill left.
  • “If they do, they're done. If they win this weekend, if I talk to you next week…they're going to go back to the Super Bowl.” (08:33)
• Stat of the Day:

  “Three times this season, Patrick Mahomes has led a fourth quarter comeback in a game he ended up losing because the defense then gave the lead away…That happened to Brady three times until year 15…has happened to Patrick three times this year.” (10:05–11:05)

Nick Wright vs. The “Nerds”/Analytics (06:50–09:58)

• Nick lampoons last year’s analytic crowd that downplayed the Chiefs’ success—yet ironically, this year, “all the stats love them” but they’re losing critical games.
• Quote:

  “Because I, unlike the nerds who think they understand football, actually understand football.” (07:33)

Chiefs’ Fatal Flaw: Third-and-Long Defense (11:05–12:27)

• Chiefs are now bottom-tier at getting off the field on third and long, a huge change from past years.
• Post-game, Mahomes and Andy Reid both gave unusually urgent/different pressers—implying new internal pressure (13:20).

Funniest Exchange: “Tickle Your Tonsils” (12:07–14:00)

• The show erupts into laughter and bemusement after Andy Reid’s odd quote about “tickling your tonsils on every play,” with Nick and the crew interpreting the awkward moment:

  “Sometimes you say something and you’re like, oh, that came out weird.” (12:45, Nick Wright)

All The Teams Are Worse: NFL Parity/Chaos (17:07–19:13)

• Nick points out that almost every top team from last season—Chiefs, Philly, Detroit, Baltimore, Minnesota, Buffalo—has regressed, marking it a uniquely “wide open” AFC.
• Nick’s critical of Lamar Jackson’s recent run and media narratives about him, with biting sarcasm.

NBA Interlude – LeBron’s 10-Point Streak “Hypocrisy” (20:25–27:33)

• Nick launches into “nobody really cares” about LeBron staying in for his scoring streak—a conversation loaded with interruptions, mock outrage, and meta-commentary:

  “Everyone complaining about LeBron staying in that game to get to double digit points is a liar.” (21:36, Nick Wright)

• Chris Cody objects, arguing about the “hypocrisy” of LeBron sitting out one game for rest, then chasing a stat in a blowout. Nick drills into the “faux outrage” of the criticism:

  “You’re banging on him for not playing the front night of a back to back while also banging on him for staying in a game an extra 90 seconds. Just admit it, bro. You’re not over that he left you.” (26:14, Nick Wright to Chris Cody)

• This lively, mock-argumentative segment is the episode’s most memorable for its blend of sports talk, comedy, and meta-Le Batard Show self-parody.

College Football Carousel & Penn State Meltdown (31:09–39:35)

• Dan and the gang dig into the Penn State head coach firing and subsequent chaos:
  • The “program vs. coach” dynamic has flipped—elite recruits now follow the coach, not the storied university.
  • Dan:

    “Talent acquisition is the name of the game right now.” (35:56)

  • Penn State is now scrambling after losing their coach (James Franklin) and an entire recruiting class to Virginia Tech.
• Broader commentary on modern college football—transfer portal, NIL, rapid instability, and “arms race” for coaches.

The Evolution of Fourth Down Football (43:52–44:26)

• Stugotz and Dan reflect on how mainstream going for it on fourth down has become, contrasting with old-school coaches like Marty Schottenheimer who “loved to punt.”

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NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS (With Timestamps)

• Nick Wright, on his Chiefs credibility:

  “I am a bit of a loser. This son of a—You're right. You know what? You're right. I am a loser.” (04:12)

• Nick, channeling Chiefs pain:

  “If they do, they're done. If they win this weekend...they're going to go back to the Super Bowl. So they're a game away from being a game away.” (08:33)

• Nick calls out the “analytics crowd”:

  “You guys last year all were like actually your team's not that good, they're 15-1, but they're actually not that good…” (06:50)

• On Mahomes’ fourth-quarter heartbreak:

  “Three times this season, Patrick Mahomes has led a fourth quarter comeback in a game he ended up losing…that happened to Brady three times until year 15…” (10:05–11:05)

• LeBron 'scoring streak' debate:

  “Everyone complaining about LeBron staying in that game to get to double digit points is a liar.” (21:36)
  “Admit it, bro. You're not over that he left you.” (26:14, Nick Wright to Chris Cody)

• On Penn State’s coach exodus:

  “There is a real possibility here that Penn State ends up firing one of the better talent recruiters in the nation…” (36:08, Dan Le Batard)

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TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Nick's Chiefs (and personal) meltdown – 03:03–09:58
• Stat of the Day (Mahomes’ unlucky comebacks) – 10:05–11:05
• Chiefs’ third-down struggles, locker room mood – 11:05–13:20
• “Tickle Your Tonsils”/Coaching comedy – 12:07–14:00
• NFL parity; most top teams regressed – 17:07–19:13
• LeBron scoring streak “hypocrisy” debate – 20:25–27:33
• Penn State disaster and college football power shift – 31:09–39:35
• Evolution of 4th down analytics – 43:52–44:26

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SECTIONED SUMMARY

1. Nick Wright Grilled Over Chiefs Struggles (03:03–09:58)

Nick is roasted for the Chiefs’ bad stretch (“a bit of a loser”), then breaks down the root cause: “finding ways to lose” despite still-favorable analytics and elite QB play. He shares embarrassing gambling intervention stories and acknowledges if the Chiefs don’t win this week, “they’re done.”

2. Critique of Football Analytics vs. “Football Guy” Metrics (06:50–09:58)

Nick points out the irony: last year, analytics dismissed the Chiefs’ winning; this year, stats love them but they lose. “Winning is a skill…and this year’s team has found ways to lose.”

3. “Tickle Your Tonsils”: Sports Media at Its Silliest (12:07–14:00)

After Andy Reid’s bizarre “tickle your tonsils” quip, the crew spirals into laughter and pop-culture asides about awkward TV moments—classic Big Suey.

4. NFL Parity and Regression Season (17:07–19:13)

Every top team is worse—the AFC is wide open. Nick is biting about the “smart crowd” still propping up Baltimore and Lamar Jackson, cueing a jab at football conventional wisdom.

5. NBA Mini-Battle: LeBron, Availability, and Media Outrage (20:25–27:33)

Nick insists LeBron’s “scoring streak” drama is pure manufactured outrage, accusing others of hypocrisy (especially South Florida media still bitter about LeBron leaving). Chris Cody pushes back, Nick presses him, and the whole exchange is the episode’s most heated/funny moment.

6. College Football: Penn State’s Crisis & The Age of the Coach (31:09–39:35)

The show addresses Penn State’s firing of James Franklin and the implications—the program now less important than the coach, who takes his entire class to Virginia Tech. It sparks a wider look at the wild west transfer/portal era and the shifting power balance in college football.

7. The Analytics Revolution—Even on Fourth Down (43:52–44:26)

Dan and Stugotz observe the wild changes, with old-school punting coaches replaced by risk-takers, and reminisce about the glory of Marty Schottenheimer’s conservative style.

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FINAL NOTES

• Tone is irreverent, lively, and digressive, combining pointed sports-commentary with classic Le Batard chaos.
• Major recurring motif: The disconnect between analytics and actual meaningful outcomes, both in NFL front offices and in “media outrage” over NBA star behavior.
• Best quote encapsulating the episode:

  “Winning is a skill and this year’s Chiefs team has found ways to lose.” (07:33, Nick Wright)

• Episode for listeners who love both hot takes and the meta-discussion about sports culture, stats, and media narratives.

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Skip the ads and small talk, tune in for the Chiefs/Cody vs. Nick/LeBron debates, and the deep dive into college football power games.

Transcript

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Visit jdpower.com awards for more details. Chevrolet together, let's drive. Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings. Why are you listening to this show? The podcast that seems very similar to.

[Chris Cody]

The other Dan LeBatard podcast?

[Nick Wright]

I'm sorry.

[Stugotz]

I'm not gonna apologize for that. In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging. I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys. I've done it.

[Chris Cody]

And now here's the Marching man to.

[Stugotz]

Nowhere Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.

[Nick Wright]

This episode of the Dan Lebatard show is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[Stugotz]

Nick Wright is going to join us here in a second. He's got to be in a State of near total despondence. He has been for many years crowing because he's had the football team of a lifetime to support. He has become friends with players on the team. They love what an ardent supporter of the team he is. And they had a bad loss against Dallas and they could have lost to the Colts. He was hopeful after they played the way they did against the Colts. They lose at Denver. And now are you done, Nick, with the season? Like, are you still holding on to some sort of hope or are you checking schedules and being like, well, the AFC is super weak and if they get to the playoffs, they'll still have the best quarterback in the playoffs.

[Nick Wright]

Well, if they get to the playoffs, they'll win the Super Bowl. But now they have to get to the playoffs and. Hi, Dan. I mean, it's Wednesday. They haven't played in six days. I didn't know we were going to lead with the Chiefs, but. Cool. No problem. It's most topical thing. I mean, you know, fourth greatest point guard in the history of the NBA gets sent home. We could discuss that. I. There's a lot of. A lot of things we could get into. But in Miami fighting for its life, College Football Playoff. Does head to head even matter? You know, a topic right up your alley. Lane Kiffin. Lying. Allegedly. You know, going to lsu. There's a lot of more.

[Stugotz]

Don't deflect here. Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick. When your team wins, you're not talking.

[Nick Wright]

About the cycle played on Thursday. I am just telling you. I just. It's just how the calendar works. We move forward.

[Stugotz]

But no, the biggest story in that sport is every. Every week is when the Chiefs lose. It's the biggest story every week.

[Nick Wright]

I agree. I. I agree. Every week. And that was last week, Dan. But it's fine. I. It's your show, so I will deal with it.

[Stugotz]

Is it. Are you dealing with it because you're coming. You come in whimpering and hot because you are, for the first time in a while, a bit of a loser.

[Nick Wright]

I am a bit of a loser. This son of a. You're right. You know what? You're right. I am a loser.

[Stugotz]

A bit of a loser. Not a total loser. Just a. Just for the first time in a long time, your football team is a bit of a loser.

[Nick Wright]

Well, the football. I'd rather you call me a loser than them. Well, they. Associated with a loser. They. They. Cody. Yeah. Relax. I'm. Couldn't be more relaxed. I. Here. Seems almost as bad as yours. Okay. Oh, God. All right. So Let me un back here. And I know what you're trying to get at is how this swoon that I didn't see coming has impacted me emotionally, but really more so financially. And the answer is bad as you thought. One of my buddies that I bet with yesterday. Text me. I'm just gonna read you the text, I mean, real quick, and then I'll give you actual football analysis. But this is what you want. This is from my great Argentinian poker pro, Nacho Barbero. I don't mind telling you this. This is what he texts me. Can you zell? I say yes. He then writes, no more betting for you, bro. I don't want you to feel bad. You can't just keep betting the Chiefs more and more. They don't have it this year.

[Stugotz]

He feels bad for you. Wait a minute. He's taken to pitying you. He's cut you off.

[Dan Le Batard]

I mean, I know DraftKings does no sweat bet sometimes and parlay insurance. You never really see that from the standard bookie. That's great.

[Nick Wright]

Not the thing is this. He's not even. He's not even a. It's not a book. He's not a bookie. It just. If we're on opposite sides of a game, we bet as friends. But that. You know, when. When you're. When you're on DraftKings, you know, every once in a while they send you that little alert. They're like, hey. I think they're like, hey, let's reality check. You. You don't really get those when you're just whatsapping in a private gambling consortium. Neither here nor there. Dan.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's such a. You just told us so bad that you're getting those prompts. Hey, is everything all right?

[Stugotz]

Nick?

[Nick Wright]

I've never gotten one of those. You have it. I thought they were automated.

[Chris Cody]

I am not.

[Nick Wright]

Your volume. It doesn't matter, guys. It doesn't matter. As I texted Nacho, I've got plenty of money. Don't worry about me.

[Stugotz]

It sounds a bit like an intervention. It's not your bookie. It's just a friend worried about you.

[Nick Wright]

The. Yeah, I mean, okay, again, let's. Nobody cares about me. I'm a vessel to give takes on sports. Let's talk about the team. So here's the deal. It's very, very simple. They are fly. I believed in the Chiefs last year when the metrics were terrible, but they won these games now. Last year. Dan, if you know what, I'm just going to go full on attack. Go on. Last year Last year, Dan, you and others try folks that wish that we didn't even that the the way we figured out who the super bowl winner was was a total point differential of the season plus DVOA rankings plus see what Barnwell and Mina and Solak think and then just hand them a trophy. You guys last year all were like actually your team's not that good. They're 15 and 1, but they're actually not that good. Well, by that logic, this year they, they have Mahomes number one in the epa. They're top five in all of the smart stats. They have a great point differential. They're a great team however, because I unlike the nerds who think they understand football, actually understand football, get winning is a skill and this year's Chiefs team has found ways to lose. No other Chiefs team has in its history. It has the or in the Mahomes era. It has the bones and a lot of trademarks of really good teams. But they can't get off the field on third and long. They the the fumble at the end of the game when Dallas tried to give to Kansas City, they couldn't get to those moments or what decide championships. So right now they're up against it. With that said, if they win out, they are guaranteed to make the playoffs. And if that happens in the wide open afc, then of course they'll go back to the super bowl and be the most dangerous team. However, this weekend they are playing the best defense in the NFL in my opinion. They won't have their starting left tackle because he got his wrist broken by his teammate helping him out with a block and they might not have their starting right tackle. So here is where I am with the Chiefs. They could lose this weekend. If they do, they're done. If they win this weekend. If I talk to you next week, what I will say and I could take a polygraph to attest to it because I will believe it in my bones. What I will say is if they beat the Chargers the following Sunday, steady themselves and then have those tiebreakers over Houston and the Chargers and then in that point maybe have a game to play with, they're going to go back to the Super Bowl. So it's they have to. They're a game away from being a game away. But for a team that hasn't faced any regular season pressure in eight years, there's a lot riding on this weekend and there was a lot riding on the Denver game and they lost it. And there was a lot riding on the Dallas game and they lost It. I have one unbelievable stat for you and then you can take your show back.

[Stugotz]

Let's. Let's give him the stat of the day music. Chris, please get out of your phone and get him. Get him the stat of the day music. It. Thank you.

[Nick Wright]

Start of the day, start of the day it is your start of the day. Start of the day, start of the day it is the start of the day, start of the day, start of the day it is the start of the day, start of the day, start of the day it is your start of the day. Thank you. Three times this season, Patrick Mahomes has led a fourth quarter comeback in a game he ended up losing because the defense then gave the lead away three times this season. That Tom Brady did not have that happen to him three times in his career until year 15. So that's the other piece.

[Stugotz]

What are you describing as the last few minutes of the game? Like what?

[Nick Wright]

No, just trailing in the fourth quarter, go take the lead. And defense doesn't hold it the third time. That happened to Brady, but it was 2014. It was the 15th year of his career. That has happened to Patrick three times this year. And that fundamentally, if we're actually going to get to, you know, the actual football issue with this Chiefs team, since they traded Tyreek, they have been third best in the NFL in third and long defense this year, they are fourth worst. They have the fourth fewest turnovers for us. They have the sixth fewest sacks. They got the Cowboys to third and eight, third and nine, third and ten all game long like they did the Chargers, like they did the Broncos, like they did the Jags, for that matter. And they couldn't get off the field. And that's the problem. Chris, what is Roy laughing at someone in the back?

[Chris Cody]

Chris?

[Stugotz]

No. Chris, no. Chris is still in his phone and he knows. Roy knows. I need sound and Chris is in his phone. Can you get me the sound? Explain to me what your coach was saying here. I was surprised to hear. Hold on a second. Explain it to me. We're gonna try to tickle your tonsils on every. Every play, every game.

[Nick Wright]

I don't know. His little smirk. He has like a little laugh.

[Stugotz]

I think he knows. Listen to the laugh through the gravel. Listen to the laugh. He laughs at himself because I think he does know we're going to try to tickle your tonsils on every. Every play, every game.

[Nick Wright]

I think he knows. Once he. Sometimes you say something and you're like, oh, that came out weird. And so I think that's what he knew it was like when our show a couple weeks ago, one of the greatest men I've ever known and devout man of God, Chris Broussard. We were discussing the New England Patriots having a a better wide receiver core than we anticipated. And Brew just said matter of factly, no man, booty is nice. And then one and then we all just sat there like and so I He wasn't trying to make a joke, but it just came out that way, I think. So I think what Andy's saying is we're going to continue to try to put pressure on you and push the ball down the field and play an exciting brand of football. Here is what another again we're doing the whole thing on the damn Chiefs. Here is another thing that I found interesting for the first time in Patrick's entire career. At the post game press conference after the loss to the Cowboys, he didn't take it one game at a time. Like he just, he's always done the cliche next week, next week, next. That's it. He said we have to win the rest of our games. Andy, in that press conference you played was somewhat defiant. Defiant the whole time basically saying, we know what we need to do and we're going to do it. The the glass 1/4 full view of this is the Chiefs have been a superb home team this year. They're 4 and 1. The one loss was in week two to Philly when they weren't whole and they had that game and the ball bounces off Kelsey's hands, turns into a pick. Their three games against good teams, Texans, Chargers, Broncos are all at home. They have been an awful road team. Luckily they play the second worst team in football, the Raiders at home and the worst team I've seen in the NFL in 10 years, the Tennessee Titans at home. You ever find yourself late night scrolling, adding stuff to your cart you absolutely don't need? And then you see it. The beautiful glowing purple shop pay button. Boom. Checkout Done. You didn't even have to get up and find your wallet. That, my friends, is Shopify magic. That little purple button means that store is powered by Shopify, which doesn't just make it easy to buy, but ridiculously easy to start and run your own business too. Whether you're a giant like Mattel or gymshark or just launching something weird from your garage like Greg Cody's garage, Shopify has your back.

[Dan Le Batard]

Let's be real. If we can run a show with.

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[Chris Cody]

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[Nick Wright]

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[Amin Elhassan]

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[Nick Wright]

Don LeBatard Baker Mayfield tearing up Tampa Bay 38 for 45 stugats. This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. There is a path, but it is, it is this narrow and they, that's the only way they get in the tournament. They get in the tournament, then they're all of a sudden the hottest team with the experience in the most wide open AFC ever. The to me, the biggest story about the AFC this season other than the Chiefs. You know, every, every team that won 12 games last year is worse. This year Philly is worse. The Chiefs are worse. Detroit's gonna miss the playoffs. Baltimore's far worse. Minnesota fell apart that Buffalo is and I'll get to them in a second. At least a little bit worse. And there's one other team I'm leaving out that I forgot. All those teams regressed.

[Stugotz]

What's happened in Minnesota is crazy. Like we were talking at the beginning of this season of Kevin o' Connell being a quarterback whisperer. Now look how far behind everyone in the division they are.

[Nick Wright]

Well, you can't be a quarterback whisperer if your Quarterback's deaf. So the, the. What I was gonna say is if the. If you're Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills and you don't make the super bowl this year, it's assuming the Chiefs missed the playoffs. It's a Shakespearean tragedy. This burrow's done missed most of the year. The Ravens are a disaster, by the way. I need to check in again with the smartest people that cover football that have explained to me how over the last three years Lamar Jackson, if he never ran, was the best quarterback in football. He's the most. He's the most refined pocket passer. We all need to accept that and recognize that. I wonder how they have taken this last month where the guy has a foot injury and all of a sudden people aren't afraid of him running and he's 14 of 28 for 104 yard zero touchdowns every week. Curious how that's landed again at the smartest people's desk. But if Josh Allen ha, they. They ha. And I think they will. By the way, if the Chiefs miss, this has to be Josh's year. This is. There's a very 2008 feel to the season. The year Brady blew his ACL, Peyton didn't quite have it and it was wide open. And I wonder if Josh can step through that void.

[Stugotz]

Put it on the poll, please. At Le Batard show. Would you be okay with Mina Barnwell and Solak just handling all the CFP rankings? Let's talk about other things outside of football. You mentioned Chris Paul. I've been delayed in doing this in the middle of the night. The Clippers, who are God awful and will end up making OKC the champions for the next 10 years because they're God awful, wave send home Chris Paul. This was supposed to be a retirement tour, kind of.

[Nick Wright]

I don't get it.

[Stugotz]

So there has to be more here, right? Like behind the scenes. Chris Paul, while a pillar, professionally in front of us, he has been a union leader and someone who a lot of people think that behind the scenes does some things that don't end up in public. The Clippers sending this person with this resume just home in the middle of the night. What is that about?

[Nick Wright]

Well, so I, the. I mean, I am. I woke up to it, you know, as well, and I have no idea, but it is bizarre. It is. And then they, you know, they sent out conciliatory messages. Lawrence Frank, you know, was like, we're not blaming Chris for the position we're in. But then Bobby Marks explained how this doesn't Actually really give the Clippers a bunch of extra flexibility. This is all time bizarre. So I, I apologize. I don't, when I was, I was flailing at the beginning when I said you, I thought you'd want to talk about Chris Paul. I don't have actually anything. I was just, I was just throwing things. I, I what I will.

[Stugotz]

I thought you were begging me to ask you about it.

[Nick Wright]

I, I, I just didn't want to do 20 minutes on the Chiefs. Dan, I will say this. If the, this is something I have a take on. Everyone complaining about LeBron staying in that game to get to double digigit points is a liar. So here's, here's what I mean. I don't think anyone actually is bothered by it. I think people just understand that they can pretend to be bothered by it. And I think we would go 100% at people privately if you ask them did this actually bother you and why they'd be like, no, I don't care. Have six minutes left.

[Stugotz]

I think it bothered Zaslow.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, I mean Nick, I think, I think the part. No.

[Nick Wright]

And I'm saying he's lying.

[Chris Cody]

Don't ever call me a liar. I always tell the truth, even when I lied.

[Nick Wright]

I didn't call you a liar. I said you're lying.

[Chris Cody]

I think what happened there, I think what people are upset about is the hypocrisy of it where the night before.

[Dan Le Batard]

Swallow your ages.

[Stugotz]

Hypocrisy?

[Chris Cody]

The hypocrisy?

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, it's an hypocrisy.

[Nick Wright]

Okay, I own an apothecary store.

[Amin Elhassan]

Go ahead.

[Chris Cody]

The hypocrisy of it is the night before, which is the first night of a back to back LeBron because he's old and they want to save him and they want to maximize his availability sits out that game well. Are you maximizing his availability if he's in in the middle of the fourth quarter down by 26 points.

[Nick Wright]

So this is, so this is, this is where I'm saying you're lying and I will say it. Do you actually think there is any relation whatsoever to the rest LeBron James gets from knowing at the beginning of a day I'm not playing tonight, I don't have to do the five hours to get myself ready. Plus play in the game? That's in one bucket and the other bucket is, hey, in a game you've already played in, we are going to let you stay out an extra 90 seconds of game time to take a couple threes. Do you think those are at all Similar in wear and tear on the body. And the answer to that is of course, no. But folks who have made it either a small part and you know, maybe in your case and in other people's folks, the entire part of their public brand is like, oh, there's something, you know, something possible that I can say LeBron did that I don't like. Even if you don't actually care.

[Chris Cody]

Well, now I'll ask you one more thing then. If he was already at 10 points, would he been in the game at that time?

[Nick Wright]

Probably not.

[Chris Cody]

That's right. Probably.

[Nick Wright]

So what? Yeah, everybody knows. See, that's the thing. This is the second time. Zaz, I'm going to do something that I think can be very uncomfortable for people with your argument style. Finish the thought. Yes, I agree with you. He would not have been in if he had 10 points.

[Chris Cody]

So then is it about a record or is it about maximizing availability? That's, that's.

[Nick Wright]

No, but so again, hold on. Are you saying, Are you saying that you think his availability for the next game or the rest of the season or any amount was impacted by him jogging up and down the court for an extra 90 seconds and shooting that three?

[Chris Cody]

No, but then why. No, no. But then why, if he had already extended the streak, would he have been out of the game?

[Stugotz]

Hypocrisy.

[Nick Wright]

No, it's an outrage. Because he stayed in the game to extent what you're saying, by the way.

[Chris Cody]

That nobody cares about. But can we. Can we agree on that? Nobody.

[Nick Wright]

Well, everybody. It's like, like most NBA records, it was hallowed and untouchable until LeBron. Blasted was. It was.

[Chris Cody]

I don't even know what the record is. I don't know who had it before.

[Stugotz]

I don't know. And again.

[Nick Wright]

All right now, Zaslow, I'm now, again. Now I. You know what? I'm now just going to call you a liar. That is something you have a nerve. Obvious lie.

[Chris Cody]

You have a lot. I, I have no idea what the record is.

[Nick Wright]

No, no, that part, that part, I believe you said, and I quote, I have no idea who held it before.

[Chris Cody]

I had no idea. You're saying it was Michael Jordan. I had no idea. It's a completely inconsequential record. Double digit point streak. Who cares?

[Nick Wright]

Then why are you demonizing the record if you don't care about it?

[Chris Cody]

Because there's an hypocrisy. I thought players, we need a rest in play the night before. It's very important to be available. Unless I only have seven points down by 26. Come on.

[Dan Le Batard]

This is.

[Nick Wright]

This is so the guy who's played more games, more minutes, been more available than literally any athlete in the history of the sport. You're. You're banging on him for not playing the front night of a back to back while also banging on him for staying in a game an extra 90 seconds. Just admit it, bro. You're never. You're not over that he left you.

[Chris Cody]

No, that's not true.

[Nick Wright]

In 10 years.

[Stugotz]

No.

[Chris Cody]

I'm very grateful for LeBron's time down. I know my career is not where it is without LeBron being here. I'd be an ingrate if I wasn't grateful, I'd be a major feeling that way.

[Nick Wright]

I got to go.

[Stugotz]

Okay, see you later. I wanted to ask you an assortment of other questions, but what's right about MLS Cup? What's right with Nick? Right?

[Dan Le Batard]

We're going to.

[Nick Wright]

You're going to talk MLS cup on Fox. You're going to. Dano, I had a hard out three minutes ago. I hate to do this to you. I have to go. I'll see you next week.

[Stugotz]

See you later, Host. Call me a Liar FS ones. It's too late for that. He's the host of FS one's First Things First. He's also the host of what's Right with Nick Wright. The podcast he does with his son. Just called you a liar right to your face.

[Chris Cody]

I know, but then I owned him in our discussion, so it's all good.

[Nick Wright]

Did you?

[Chris Cody]

You should go back and listen. You clearly weren't.

[Nick Wright]

Okay, now, come on.

[Stugotz]

Tremendous.

[Nick Wright]

Right? I got to go on. Nick's right. Nick. Right. He's right. You were wrong on this one. Eat it.

[Chris Cody]

Because.

[Nick Wright]

Because there's nothing wrong with LeBron James wanting to continue a 10 point streak.

[Chris Cody]

I agree with that part.

[Nick Wright]

Okay, then why are you faulting him for staying in the game?

[Chris Cody]

I told you, because of the hypocrisy involved.

[Nick Wright]

There's no hypocrisy with making sure.

[Chris Cody]

Well, why would you play in a blowout late in a game if being available is the most important thing? It's not more important, though, than records.

[Stugotz]

Hey, Amin here. And the NBA on Prime is back this Friday with another great doubleheader. The action starts with one of the best rivalries in sports, as Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers face Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics. Then Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks meet SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder. And if you're not a Prime member, that's not a problem. Sign up for a 30 day free trial to get started today. The Lakers and Celtics, the Mavericks and Thunder coverage starts Friday at 6:30pm Eastern only on Prime. Restrictions apply.

[Chris Cody]

See Amazon.com amazonprime for details.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's the holiday season. Fantasy football probably not going your way. Like most of America, your football team, hopefully you're still in the mix. If your college football team is in the mix, congratulations. You've made it this far. Why don't you toast your friends with some Miller Lite at the holiday party? It is a surefire winner. It's the holiday season right now, so why don't you celebrate the 50th anniversary of my favorite beer, Miller Lite? Every time I crack open a Miller Lite, I look around at my friends and family and I think, yeah, this was the right call. It's a taste you know you can depend on. Brewed for flavor with simple ingredients like malted barley, rich balanced toffee notes and that iconic golden color. And at 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces, it lets you enjoy the season without weighing you down. The best holiday beers are the ones you don't expect. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Tis Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Amin Elhassan]

Holidays fun holidays as a dad, tough travel gifts Matching pajamas Don't get me started on matching pajamas. It's hot in Miami. My wife says, why don't you want.

[Nick Wright]

To do this with us?

[Amin Elhassan]

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[Stugotz]

I swear.

[Nick Wright]

Don LeBatard.

[Stugotz]

This is the quickest it goes. Hey, this is the quickest it goes.

[Nick Wright]

Stugats, everybody.

[Stugotz]

This is the quickest it goes.

[Nick Wright]

Yeah. This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.

[Stugotz]

I don't want to do this again. We did it once and I believe we got the dismount we needed when he simply called you a liar. Thank you for getting out of your phone, Chris, long enough to hit some of those buttons. I appreciate it. What is happening right now at Penn State I believe is something that people should be paying attention to because if you fire James Franklin just because he lost to Northwestern, you have to have a plan after that. You can't be the first one to fire your coach when everyone's going to do all this stuff of fighting for coaches. Today's national signing day. Penn State's recruiting class is the worst. Like, they don't have order there. So they are in a position where however good James Franklin did make them, and Penn State was at the center of the single biggest sports scandal of my lifetime and recovered from it in a way that was a little faster than I thought, given everything that happened there. And it's why James Franklin was as wanted as he was, because he repaired everything about Penn State except for winning some of the games at the end that they expected him to win, because they wanted to go even further after the biggest scandal I've ever seen in my sports lifetime, the fact that they are in complete disarray and that they've got a bad recruiting class and they've got. What can be said about how it is that their power is getting in the way of doing this correctly, like their leadership that you have that, yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

Penn State's a kooky place. Happy Valley is strange. We know that about this place. There's a lot of old school Paterno people that have a lot of influence and you kind of have to check certain boxes to get a lot of influential people in in your camp. But what happened to Penn State is pretty fascinating in that the reason why all these other schools are hiring coaches and they hadn't was they had their guy. They had him locked up. Their guy was playing in a conference championship game of consequence. So that's why we hadn't heard anything about It And Kalani Sataki, the.

[Chris Cody]

That's the BYU guy, the head coach.

[Dan Le Batard]

Of byu left them at the altar because the CEO of Crumble came to the table and gave Sataki an offer he couldn't refuse.

[Chris Cody]

Cookies are good.

[Dan Le Batard]

They are. And now the team that had the longest Runway is scrambling to fill what was thought to be one of the.

[Chris Cody]

More so much time.

[Dan Le Batard]

What was thought to be one of the more desirable head coaching jobs in the history of the sport. Today is national signing day as Dan announced they have the worst class in the Big Ten. And it isn't by a little. Every single person that committed to James Franklin apparently didn't care about Happy Valley because they're all going to Blacksburg. There's no loyalty amongst those recruits to Happy Valley. So right now, where does Penn State go from here? A couple names that I've heard more coaches that have played and that are playing in conference championship games. We have to remember Manny Diaz is actually rated by those people because he did a good job as defensive coordinator. Seems to be doing an okay enough job at Duke. So as a plan D, I guess Manny Diaz and Jeff Brahms another name. Jeff Brahm's at his alma mater. I think if Jeff Braum leaves, it might be for the NFL. But Penn State is a really good job. And they may be panicking here, but I cannot believe that Penn State has found itself in this situation.

[Nick Wright]

Shouldn't have fired James Franklin, period.

[Stugotz]

There is debate to be had around that because people were fed up about the fact that the last three games of James Franklin's career, he seemed safe. And then losing Western is the thing that got him gone. But I want to examine some of what it is that's happening in college football. Because if you're Oklahoma State, which has been terrible for the last three years, everything collapsed on Gundy and you want to get back in the game, you just take North Texas as coach and quarterback. I guess we've kind of gotten used to that. Even though it doesn't seem like any version of college football I've seen before. But the idea that players would follow James Franklin to Blacksburg and choose the coach over a program of the pedigree of Penn State makes it so you've made almost fundamentally irrelevant what the program is like it really is now about is Lane Kiffin outside your building trying to steal your children? Like, it's just, what's the one guy if you can get Mario Crystal ball and he's going to be the guy who gets the players. It doesn't matter if he can coach. It doesn't matter if he can call plays. Nothing matters. Except are you good at convincing 17 year olds to follow you Any place.

[Dan Le Batard]

In the country, Talent acquisition is the name of the game right now. Also, being in a big conference helps because revenue goes to that whole talent acquisition thing.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, like they wouldn't be following him if he went to a GE5 tour. Right?

[Dan Le Batard]

Look, there is a real possibility here that Penn State ends up firing one of the better talent recruiters in the nation. The guy that's, as we mentioned, stealing their entire class and taking them to Blacksburg and they're replacing that guy with Manny Diaz. And that couldn't have been the outcome that people envisioned.

[Stugotz]

But how did, how did we get exactly to the point, for all the consternation that we have about talking, because what we've seen over the last 10 years is indisputably, minor league football has become the second biggest sport in America. Saturdays are the second biggest day in sports. On football, Saturdays are the second biggest day in sports. It tops baseball, World Series hockey, Stanley cup basketball. Saturdays are enormous. When did it happen? Landmark it for me. Where James Franklin is more important than Penn State. That James Franklin is the one that travels with the players. James Franklin rehabs himself and the program in Penn State and then just takes it all with him. That in my lifetime has not been the case that, that there can be all sorts of upheaval in the coaching position. And when a coach leaves, it's always bad for recruiting. That's always been so, but it's never been so that the coach can just take Penn State's recruiting class to Virginia Tech.

[Chris Cody]

But isn't it, isn't it the money? Like that's, that's the big thing.

[Stugotz]

It's the money.

[Chris Cody]

It's like, it's the money.

[Dan Le Batard]

I think the moment in time that you're looking for is either Petrino going back to the college game and leaving the Falcons, or Saban leaving the pros for the college game, which started this whole arms race for high priced coaches that come to your program and promise one thing, we're going to have the talent. And then, you know, people started cheating and the SEC totally blew up and now everyone's jealous of one another. And that created 20 teams, 20 programs that think that their way into the game is to outspend the other.

[Stugotz]

James Franklin, though, did not get what I consider to be one of the good jobs. You can make all the arguments you want on behalf of Virginia Tech and I'd listen to them, but I Don't think it's one of the coveted jobs. We have a tarnished James Franklin moving to Virginia Tech. And I wonder if in any of these openings that are now open, if any of these other teams would have gone to James Franklin if it came with the promise, hey, we'll get to Penn State's recruiting class. The whole thing's coming with James Franklin. It's no longer about the program mattering the way that it should. It's about the coach who's tarnished, who's taking a secondary job. A tarnished coach is taking a demotion to go to another job. And I'm being told that the recruiting class, because I don't know these things. I'm not following recruiting classes or signing days. I'm being told that basically Penn State's class is just going to Virginia Tech. That's just not something that's been so before.

[Chris Cody]

I'm surprised you think that. I'm surprised you're using the word tarnished to describe his reputation. Like he got fired, but he got fired from a major program that was always in contention every year.

[Stugotz]

Well, I'm saying. I'm saying tarnished just because it is not one the top jobs like he had. He didn't have his choice of options. His last act in public was losing to Northwestern and he had to settle for a job that I'm guessing he thought was beneath him. Two weeks.

[Chris Cody]

Well, we gotta go forward to fire.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's absolutely tarnished. Even though I think he raises the floor of any program that he goes to.

[Chris Cody]

I mean, tarnished means you think less of him.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yes, I do. I think he's become a cliche like you want a coach that can't win you the big game. Here it is. It's James Franklin the same way that Clemsoning was a thing before. Like you're not going to be able to get over the hurdle. But if you're a program like Virginia Tech, come here, raise that floor. We'll worry about losing the big games because we flatly haven't been playing in big games. Come here and make us play in big games and then we'll talk about how you can't get over the hump if Mario Cristobal doesn't get into the playoffs and he has another season in which maybe he's hovering around that 10 win frame. I'm sure that act will wear thin over time to Miami fans. But right now you're thrilled that he turned things around and you're relevant again.

[Stugotz]

Let's get to the useless sound Montage I am never happy that we go this late into the week. The middle of Wednesday. Before getting to the useless sound montage, it has been refurbished. It is no longer tarnished. It is now strengthened. Let's see who we have in the NFL's useless sound montage this week.

[Nick Wright]

How you guys doing?

[Stugotz]

You gonna ask me Thanksgiving? It is Thanksgiving, so that's bigger. You hope they can.

[Nick Wright]

And the beautiful thing is they did. One week at a time.

[Chris Cody]

1 0.

[Stugotz]

It was wet.

[Dan Le Batard]

They were loud.

[Stugotz]

They all know what good football looks like. We really wanted to win.

[Nick Wright]

In no way, shape or form can.

[Stugotz]

We play offensive football like that.

[Nick Wright]

I can't wait to lean in. I'm not gonna get into all that stuff. We're just gonna keep playing football.

[Stugotz]

Certainly not gonna feel sorry for ourselves. That's this business we're in. You think you have the right type.

[Nick Wright]

Of guys, but you don't know until you know, man. There are a number of guys that did a number of things.

[Stugotz]

It's easy for those young guys to come to work at every day and just look at how these old heads are going about their business. And you just kind of fall in.

[Nick Wright]

Line the rest of the way. You've got competitive, meaningful football games. And I think that that's just an important thing for us to go through as a team. This is football.

[Stugotz]

You got to be able to handle some tough moments. It was an NFL game.

[Nick Wright]

I wish I could tell you this is.

[Stugotz]

This is exactly what it is, is. And this. This is hard. Well, I like when we win. This was a nice microcosm of how the world should be where it's competition.

[Nick Wright]

Doubling down on our process every week and really trying to just be dedicated to playing our style of ball.

[Stugotz]

I think it's the same message we've been sending every week, that we're just going to compete our tails off for 60 minutes, man.

[Nick Wright]

Just ebbs and flows of how a game goes.

[Stugotz]

We're together. This was a great team win. And our fates are intertwined when things go well. These can be blessings in disguise if.

[Nick Wright]

You use them the right way.

[Stugotz]

It was an awful performance by us, but it's us.

[Nick Wright]

I don't think there's room for complacency in the NFL.

[Stugotz]

There's no room for any team to get comfortable.

[Nick Wright]

When I watch our defense play, man, I see violence.

[Amin Elhassan]

Shoot, I'm the guy that they have.

[Nick Wright]

To calm down sometimes, which is a great sign.

[Stugotz]

The team that made the least number of mistakes was probably going to win this game. Didn't think that we Weren't not ready to go. Didn't think we took this group lightly. All of those questions are reasonable given what we put out there. Obviously if I knew exactly what it.

[Nick Wright]

Was and everything that it was then we, we'd have fixed it. And listen, even though we have this long range vision of what we're trying to get to the now is what's important for all guys to continue to understand. Man, how do you win games?

[Stugotz]

The idea is to end the game.

[Nick Wright]

In the stadium with more points than the opponent.

[Stugotz]

What I'm supposed to do as I go out there to lead that offense, score one more point or however many more points than the opposing team. This is a disappointing day, but we're.

[Nick Wright]

Not going to stay in this moment for long.

[Chris Cody]

Solutions to turn this thing around exist in your building.

[Nick Wright]

Certainly gives you the confidence that they do. Keep watching.

[Stugotz]

If you're coming to me on this, Matt, I'm telling you we're going to go after you every game. You know, that's how we roll. We're going to try to tickle your tonsils on every, every play, every game. Chris Cody, can you get out of your phone please and get me that Aaron Glenn throat clear. I also, I heard a couple of times from Brian Schottenheimer in there and as I've watched the Cowboys play this season, specifically what they do on fourth down and they've got a great field goal kicker but they love to go for it on 4th and 4 and 4th and 5. Brian's daddy would have never done that. Brian's daddy is spinning in his grave. Even though Stugots was somehow happy about hearing of the death of Marty Schottenheimer. Hey Mike, Marty Schottenheimer died. Marty Schottenheimer loved to punt. His daddy put it on the poll at Lebatard show. Didn't Brian Schottenheimer's daddy, Pappy, love to punt.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's crazy what's happened. A fourth down in all college too. Even in high school. I mean you can kind of understand that because their specialists aren't that good. But everyone's just going for it now early in games, their side of the field, even when you're like, like it makes all the sense in the world to add a field goal here to give you some space and they're like, nah, we, we just go.

[Chris Cody]

Remember it was, it was like 15, maybe 20 years ago where ESPN did that special the one time about the high school team, this crazy coach who never punts. They always go for fourth down.

[Stugotz]

Yes, let's listen to St. Gods here. A great. A great old memory.

[Nick Wright]

Mike.

[Stugotz]

Marty Schottenheimer passed away.

[Dan Le Batard]

Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila. Cuervo, what are you doing here?

[Stugotz]

Cuervo? Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think he could lay out especially for one of our great partners.

[Stugotz]

Sweet, delicious Cuervo.

[Dan Le Batard]

Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion.

[Stugotz]

Cuervo.

[Dan Le Batard]

So enjoy the tequila that started it all. Cuervo.

[Stugotz]

Cuervo.

[Dan Le Batard]

The tequila that invented tequila. Proximo Cuervo.com Please drink responsibly.

[Stugotz]

Cuervo.