The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 1 – College Football Playoff Quarterfinals with Chris Simms Release Date: January 2, 2025

Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and the Dan Patrick Podcast Network, this episode features Dan Patrick alongside NFL analyst Chris Simms. The discussion centers around the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, targeting rules in college football, the NFL MVP race, and playoff implications.

1. Introduction to the Playoffs

The episode kicks off with Chris Simms welcoming familiar voices back to the show, setting an enthusiastic tone for the New Year. He quickly dives into the topic of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, highlighting the participating teams and the unique circumstances surrounding the season.

Key Points:

• Teams in Playoffs: Notre Dame, Georgia, Duke, and Ole Miss are among the contenders.
• Venue Adjustments: The Sugar Bowl is scheduled at 4 PM Eastern due to a tragedy in New Orleans, with an additional bowl game featuring Duke and Ole Miss.
• Playoff Scenarios: Discussions on potential NFL playoff-like scenarios, emphasizing the unpredictability and competitiveness of the games.

Notable Quote:

• "There's so much to talk about... It is football. It's programming, and that's all we care about. It's football." (01:24)

2. Playoff Selection and Fairness

Dan and Chris delve into the complexities of the college football playoff system, critiquing the selection process and the inclusion of certain teams based on their conference performances rather than overall strength.

Key Points:

• Critique of Selection Bias: Chris expresses frustration with analysts who retrospectively argue that certain teams shouldn't have made the playoffs after they lose.
• Competitive Balance: Emphasis on the need for a more competitive system to avoid "revisionist history" where teams are unfairly judged post-game.
• Future of Playoffs: Optimism that the playoff system will evolve to ensure more equitable team selections.

Notable Quotes:

• "They did everything they were supposed to do. And tell me that before they get blown out, not after." (04:06)
• "College football created the scenario where they said, hey, if you win your conference, you get a first round buy. It doesn't make sense." (06:02)

3. Targeting Rules in College Football

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the controversial targeting calls in college football, particularly a missed targeting call in the Texas vs. Arizona State game.

Key Points:

• Missed Calls: Analysis of a specific instance where targeting should have been called but wasn't, leading to debate over officiating standards.
• Impact on Games: How targeting rules influence game outcomes and player safety.
• Reform Advocacy: Both hosts advocate for clearer and more consistent enforcement of targeting rules to protect players and ensure fair play.

Notable Quotes:

• "We lost one of our best players in the first half for targeting... I just don't know what it is." (13:47)
• "If you're looking at somebody who schedule inferior competition. Yes. It's never going to be an exact science." (09:00)

4. NFL MVP Race

Transitioning to the NFL, Dan and Chris discuss the ongoing MVP race, weighing the performances of Josh Allen against Lamar Jackson and other potential candidates.

Key Points:

• Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson: Dan leans towards Josh Allen due to his clutch performances and team support, despite acknowledging Lamar's impressive stats.
• Voter Criteria: Debates whether MVP voters prioritize statistics, team success, or standout moments.
• Influence of Analysts: The role of sports analysts in swaying MVP votes, referencing past NBA MVP discussions as a parallel.

Notable Quotes:

• "I think I'm probably favoring Josh Allen as far as the MVP vote, but it's really close." (24:04)
• "You either earn it or you don't. But that will be a big topic coming up this weekend." (24:04)

5. NFL Playoff Implications

The conversation shifts to the implications of playoff seeding, particularly focusing on key matchups and the potential for highly ranked teams to face early exits.

Key Points:

• Top Seeds at Stake: The Sunday night game between the Lions and Vikings determines the number one seed, with significant consequences for both teams.
• Team Analysis: Dan highlights the strengths and weaknesses of teams like the Rams, Tampa Bay, Lions, and Vikings, predicting outcomes based on their performances.
• Home Field Advantage: Importance of home-field advantage in high-stakes playoff games.

Notable Quotes:

• "The winner gets the number one seed. The loser can drop all the way down to the number five seed." (25:23)
• "The Vikings in the Lions Sunday night... It's a huge game. I'm excited to see what happens." (26:58)

6. NFL Free Agency and Draft Strategy

Dan and Chris delve into NFL free agency, discussing quarterback contracts and team strategies. They analyze the situations of Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy, debating franchise tagging and contract negotiations.

Key Points:

• Franchise Tagging: Dan advocates for franchise tagging Sam Darnold to secure another year and evaluate his long-term potential.
• Contract Negotiations: Critique of teams overpaying players like Brock Purdy, emphasizing market value and team needs.
• Historical Context: Reference to the Cleveland Browns' handling of Deshaun Watson as a cautionary tale for contract management.

Notable Quotes:

• "I would probably franchise tag them and see another year and go, hey, just prove to me." (28:31)
• "You can't totally tank the game because you can't ask guys who are fighting for their careers in life to quit and not play football." (34:02)

7. Listener Interaction

Throughout the episode, Dan and Chris engage with listener calls, addressing a variety of topics from player performances to organizational decisions in different sports.

Key Points:

• Best and Worst of the Weekend: Callers share their opinions on team performances, coaching decisions, and personal sports experiences.
• Fan Perspectives: Insights into fan loyalty and disappointment, particularly regarding team management and player trades.
• Player Analysis: Discussions on player potential and future in professional leagues based on recent performances.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller: "The firing of Mike Brown... How do you fire somebody that gets you to where you haven't been in 17 years?"* (41:32)
• Dan Patrick: "I'm super proud of my team, but still very fast."* (44:56)

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Dan and Chris summarize their discussions, reiterating key points and expressing optimism for future games and seasons. They emphasize the evolving nature of both college and professional football, anticipating ongoing changes and improvements in the sports landscape.

Notable Quote:

• "They said so, you know, they said they're going to change it. They're going to have and logic will step in, which is really rare in college football." (06:02)
• "We're in a new era here, and we can pick and nitpick and go." (05:56)

Timecodes Reference:

• Each timecode corresponds to the position in the transcript where the quote was made, facilitating easy navigation for detailed review.

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers insightful analysis on the current state of college football playoffs, the intricacies of NFL awards and contracts, and engages with fan perspectives, making it a comprehensive listen for sports enthusiasts.