Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Top Five NFL Games to Watch in Week 11 with Gerald McCoy, Plus Best Notre Dame Players in History with Jessica Smetana

Date: November 14, 2025
Featuring: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Gerald McCoy, Jessica Smetana, Mike Fuentes, Gino

Overview

In this lively episode from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew dive headfirst into Week 11 of the NFL season, explore historic college football debates, and even detour into superhero discourse. Jessica Smetana joins to break down college football, especially all things Notre Dame and Pitt, while former NFL defensive tackle Gerald McCoy brings expert insight on the top five NFL games to watch. Throughout, witty banter and sports nostalgia keep the tone playful but informed.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Number 25 Debate and Opening Banter ([00:00]–[01:10])

• The team kicks off by debating the greatest athlete to ever wear the number 25.
• Nominees include Jamal Charles, Reggie Bush, Fred Biletnikoff, Shady McCoy, Aqib Talib, and even Barry Bonds from other sports.
• Consensus is to honor the underappreciated Jamal Charles and Reggie Bush.
• Quote [00:51], Dan: “I think we should honor Reggie Bush and Jamal Charles, because I feel like they’re both vaguely underappreciated.”

2. Steelers and Quarterback Woes with Jessica Smetana ([02:22]–[05:32])

• Dan and Jessica bond as long-suffering Steelers fans, commiserating over ongoing quarterback issues.
• Jessica criticizes the team’s reluctance toward a full rebuild and laments the lack of a franchise quarterback post-Roethlisberger.
• Quote [03:56], Jessica: “They just can’t ever commit to actually losing football games… But as someone who wants… to exist in the NFL universe, it’s very hard to do that when you don’t have a quarterback.”
• Both agree Mike Tomlin’s reputation is hampered strictly by QB struggles.

3. College Football Quarterback Futures & Draft Classes ([05:32]–[09:41])

• Dan and Jessica discuss the hype and letdown cycles around college QB prospects, with concerns about “can’t-miss” stars fizzing out.
• Early mistakes in drafting QBs and the dangers of pinning hopes on future classes are dissected.
• Dan jokes about the ever-brighter future: “They have already begun talking about don’t take a quarterback in ‘26, if you have seen what the ‘27 class looks like, sheesh.” ([08:52])

4. Notre Dame, Navy Rivalry & College Football Realities ([10:22]–[13:27])

• Jessica discusses the mixed feelings about the Notre Dame-Navy rivalry—historic but tough on the team.
• She admits she’d prefer different group-of-five opponents due to Navy’s triple-option and cut blocks.
• Quote [12:14], Jessica: “I don’t love playing against the triple option every season… but Navy helped Notre Dame stay in business during World War II. So it is a debt of gratitude.”

5. Pitt-Notre Dame Preview and Playoff Paths ([13:03]–[16:41])

• They review coach Pat Narduzzi’s comments that Pitt-Notre Dame isn’t a must-win; Jessica objects that every game matters at this point for playoff ambitions.
• Notre Dame’s season is broken down: early struggles, strength of schedule, and the committee’s rankings.
• Jessica argues that margin of victory and late-season upsets will play a role in rankings drama.

6. South Bend vs. Pittsburgh & Historic College Rivalries ([16:36]–[19:33])

• Dan asks Jessica to name one thing South Bend has over Pittsburgh; she picks the college stadium experience.
• Both agree Notre Dame-Pitt has real rivalry roots, with Pitt ranking #4 all-time in games played versus Notre Dame.

7. Ultimate All-Time Rosters: Pitt vs. Notre Dame vs. Miami ([18:25]–[21:50])

• Dan floats Pitt’s all-time team—Marino, Tony Dorsett, Larry Fitzgerald—as unbeatable.
• Panel debates quarterbacks and running back “U” credentials:
  • Notre Dame featuring Montana, maybe Brady Quinn.
  • Miami’s claim: Ken Dorsey (college) or Jim Kelly (pro), plus Michael Irvin or Reggie Wayne at WR.
  • Pitt’s historical power is recognized as perhaps underappreciated nationally.
• Quote [21:31], Dan: “Pitt is RBU over Penn State, Notre Dame or anywhere else.”

8. Notre Dame-Pitt Game Analysis ([22:00]–[23:54])

• Jessica sees the matchup hinging on:
  • Notre Dame’s passing game vs. Pitt’s run defense.
  • Injuries impacting Notre Dame’s O-line depth.
  • Confidence in new QB C.J. Carr tempered by Pitt’s ability to exploit mistakes.

9. NFL Week 11: Pick Six & Fantasy Angles ([24:39]–[28:39])

• Dan, Mike, and Gino discuss players likely to score touchdowns and top fantasy performers for the week.
• Notable picks: Jalen Warren, Jamar Chase, Puka Nacua, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Devon Achane.
• Quote [27:37], Dan: “I obsess so much about the teams and where they are that I sort of lose sight of the great performers on the bum teams at some point in the year.”

10. NFL “Triplets” and Oklahoma/Miami/Pitt All-Time Debates ([29:05]–[35:35])

• With Gerald McCoy joining, the show revisits the concept of historic team “triplets.”
  • Oklahoma (McCoy’s pick): Sam Bradford (QB), Adrian Peterson (RB), Ryan Broyles (WR).
  • Miami: Jim Kelly (QB), Edgerrin James (RB), Michael Irvin (WR).
  • Pitt: Dan’s pick—Dan Marino (QB), Tony Dorsett (RB), Larry Fitzgerald (WR).
• Quote [34:07], McCoy: “If I’m going one season… I’m going Kyler Murray. What he did in that one individual season is comparable to anybody in history.”

11. Superhero Detour: Best Spider-Man ([35:35]–[39:58])

• Gerald McCoy, Mike, and Dan rank portrayals of Spider-Man: Toby Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland.
• McCoy and Mike lean towards Maguire; Dan likes Garfield for capturing Peter Parker's humor.
• Extended analysis of the unique challenges of playing Spider-Man as a teenage hero thrust into global stakes.
• Quote [38:33], McCoy: “The way they wrote it is excellent... Tom Holland’s just a kid, still trying to figure out how to talk to a girl properly, and he gets thrust into this world war…”

12. Top 5 NFL Games of Week 11: Gerald McCoy’s Analysis & Picks ([40:54]–[51:53])

#5: Buccaneers at Bills

• McCoy: Nervous for his former team, Tampa Bay, especially given no consistent pass rush against Josh Allen.
• McCoy [42:34]: “Josh Allen is great at putting on his cape… These types of games are the games that he goes out and he wins.”
• Leans slightly Bucs but cautions fans.

#4: Bears at Vikings

• McCoy likes what he sees from the ascending Bears defense; turnovers are “contagious.”
• McCoy [43:13]: “The defense is taking the ball away at a high clip right now. And that’s very contagious… I like the Bears to win this.”

#3: Chiefs at Broncos

• Andy Reid’s post-bye record too strong to ignore (22–4).
• Trusts Mahomes/Reid over Payton/Nix.
• McCoy [45:26]: “I just think Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid combo with that defense is going to be too much for Denver.”

#2: Rams at Seahawks

• Predicts Rams win due to defense, Stafford’s MVP level, and Seahawks’ home struggles with pass rush.
• McCoy [48:17]: “I just see [the Rams] forcing Sam Darnold into a late game mistake… going Rams on the road.”

#1: Lions at Eagles

• Tricky matchup, Lions declining due to lost coordinators, Eagles too “find ways to win.”
• McCoy [49:45]: “If they cannot stop Detroit from running the ball, they are in trouble… But some teams just know how to win… I’m gonna take Philly at home.”

13. Closing and Farewells ([51:53]–End)

• Dan and the crew commend McCoy’s football and superhero analysis.
• Quote [51:53], Dan: “Gerald McCoy, continue your rise, man… You’re as good as it gets with the football analysis and superhero analysis, too.”

Notable Quotes, By Timestamp

• Dan (on #25): "I think we should honor Reggie Bush and Jamal Charles, because I feel like they’re both vaguely underappreciated." [00:51]
• Jessica (on Steelers): “They just can’t ever commit to actually losing football games… very hard to do that when you don’t have a quarterback.” [03:56]
• Jessica (On Notre Dame-Navy): “I don’t love playing against the triple option every season… but Navy helped Notre Dame stay in business during World War II.” [12:14]
• Dan (Notre Dame and Pitt historical comparison): “Pitt is RBU over Penn State, Notre Dame or anywhere else.” [21:31]
• McCoy (on Oklahoma triplets): “If I’m going one season… I’m going Kyler Murray. What he did in that one individual season is comparable to anybody in history.” [34:07]
• McCoy (on Spider-Man): “Tom Holland’s just a kid, still trying to figure out how to talk to a girl properly, and he gets thrust into this world war…” [38:33]
• McCoy (on Bills): “Josh Allen is great at putting on his cape… These types of games are the games that he goes out and he wins.” [42:34]

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Opening Number 25 Debate: [00:00–01:10]
• Jessica Smetana & Steelers Rant: [02:22–05:32]
• Notre Dame-Pitt Preview: [13:03–16:41]
• Ultimate All-Time Rosters (Pitt, Notre Dame, Miami): [18:25–21:50]
• Gerald McCoy Football Analysis Begins: [28:39]
• Superhero Segment (Spider-Man): [35:35–39:58]
• NFL Week 11 Game Picks with McCoy: [40:54–51:53]

Tone, Highlights, and Style

• The podcast is fast-moving, irreverent, and loaded with inside jokes, sports trivia, and deep-cut football analysis.
• Frequent sideways conversations and friendly trash talk keep things fresh.
• The show balances sharp analysis (particularly from Gerald McCoy and Jessica Smetana) with a welcoming, conversational approach.
• Memorable moments include historical hypotheticals (all-time triplets, ultimate CFB rosters), detailed matchup breakdowns, and cultural tangents (e.g., Spider-Man debates).

This episode is ideal for fans who love granular football talk interwoven with sports nostalgia—plus, you’ll leave ready for NFL Week 11 and armed for any bar-room “best of all-time” debate.