The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: Rough Ohio State Upset (January 1, 2026)

Overview

In this New Year's Day episode, hosts Dan Byer and Jonas Knox react to the shocking upset of Ohio State by Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, discuss reactions across the college football landscape, and examine implications for both programs and conferences. The episode is marked by candid fan emotion, spirited debate over playoff fairness, and playful asides about New Year's traditions and NFL storylines.

Main Theme

The aftermath of Miami's upset victory over Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, its impact on fan sentiment, conference reputation, and the larger college football picture—plus New Year traditions and a look ahead at NFL Week 18.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reaction: Ohio State's Crushing Loss

• Opening perspective: Dan Byer, an Ohio State fan, laments waking up to a new year right after "the debacle last night in Dallas" (02:46).
  • Quote: "I honestly, as an Ohio State fan, could not pick a worse morning to get up and start a day, let alone an entire new year, after the debacle last night..." – Dan Byer (02:46)
• Jonas jokes about skipping talking lesser bowl games, highlighting the game's significance and disappointment for fans (03:04).

2. Miami’s Night & Ohio State’s Flatness

• Jonas notes the sense of destiny for Miami: "It was just kind of meant to be Miami's night," citing lucky bounces and OSU's sluggish start (03:54).
• Discussion of specific plays: Miami capitalizing on a missed field goal, Ohio State's offensive struggles, and standout performances ("Carson Wentz turns into Marshawn Lynch" as a runner; 04:38).

3. America’s Surprising Support of Miami & Ohio State’s Villain Role

• Dan observes that—contrary to decades past—"America is behind the Canes," with the normally-polarizing Miami team drawing unexpected national support (05:57).
  • Quote: "America can rally behind... everyone of race, religion and color coming behind the Miami Hurricanes as they knock off the Big Ten's Ohio State Buckeyes." – Dan Byer (07:06)
• Jonas recalls the "Catholics vs. Convicts" history and notes the oddity of Michael Irvin (Miami) being celebrated (06:52).
• Discussion on national dislike for Ohio State: “How much people hate Ohio State and how much they actually probably hate the Big Ten more than the SEC.” – Dan Byer (04:38)

4. Playoff Inclusion Fairness: Did Miami “Deserve” In?

• Debate over the value of Miami's playoff run after regular-season slipups, comparing CFB to NCAA hoops upsets (08:00–09:57).
  • Jonas: “Once you get in... anybody can play the lotto. Miami played the lotto, they got in, they won, now they move on. I don’t know if this justifies them getting in there.” (09:40)

5. What Went Wrong for Ohio State?

• Dan breaks down the game: “What happened on the defensive line with Miami getting after Julian Sayin... Ohio State’s run game had moments… but Miami dominated the first half.” (09:57)
• Emphasis on broader conference questions—how meaningful are these results for Big Ten or ACC supremacy? (11:04)

6. Buckeyes’ Outlook: Coaching Changes & Ryan Day’s Future

• Addressing the departure of Brian Hartline (co-OC) and its implications for OSU’s much-lauded receiver pipeline (15:10).
• Jonas reflects concern over Ryan Day and program direction, especially after finally beating Michigan but losing the title defense (14:34–14:49).
• Playful engagement with social media rumors about Ryan Day: from “he needs to go back and dye his beard” to “nipple piercing” meme (12:47–13:28).
• Notable Ryan Day quote: "So, you know, they put a lot of work and time into this thing. So it's our job as coaches to make sure that... we figure out ways to put them in a situation to be successful. So at the end of the day, it's our responsibility..." (13:54)

7. Magnifying the Upset

• Jonas: “This was a big upset… a lot of people didn’t think Miami could do this. Congratulations to them. You do have to start to look at what happens now.” (16:54)
• Dan: “Miami had 85% of America behind them… Of those four quarterfinal games... not one can match the result of what last night was like.” (18:16)

8. Fan Culture, Social Media, and Playoff Narratives

• Extended riff on Michael Irvin’s sideline antics, Miami’s “America’s Team” feeling, and how old villains become heroes given the right opponent (06:12–07:26, 20:29).

9. NFL Week 18 Preview & Ravens-Steelers Conversation

• Shifts to the upcoming Steelers-Ravens matchup, skepticism about both teams' legitimacy as contenders (29:36–35:26).
  • Jonas: “My problem with the Ravens is... they're not good. Like, at some point, we know who's good, we know who's not good, and they're not very good, and neither is Pittsburgh.” (29:48)
• Discussion of Mike Tomlin’s and John Harbaugh’s coaching futures, with speculation on media rumor-mongering (35:26–39:13).
• Playful banter about NFL broadcasting traditions and how old themes/shows have aged (41:04–41:44).

10. New Year's Traditions & Personal Anecdotes

• Dan shares his family's grape-eating superstition (12 grapes, one per month), and laughter about laundry omens (47:57–49:32).
• Jonas recounts his family’s odd New Year “make your own sandwiches” tradition, admitting he still keeps it up (50:10–51:59).
  • Quote: "You don't realize you do stuff as a family that's weird until you see other families and you go, oh, you guys don't do it like that." – Jonas Knox (50:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Miami had the Buckeyes by the neck, and the Canes are onto the college football semifinals, and there will not be a repeat champion in college football."
  – Dan Byer (03:12)
• "It just looked like Miami was ready to go and Ohio State was flat and couldn't really get it going until the second half."
  – Jonas Knox (03:54)
• "I felt this sense of everyone is on the side of Michael Irvin and the U... America is behind the Canes."
  – Dan Byer (05:57)
• "There can never be a middle ground in college football... you either really love something or you absolutely hate it."
  – Jonas Knox (07:26)
• Ryan Day (Postgame):
  "They put a lot of work and time into this thing... it's our job as coaches to make sure that, you know, we figure out ways to put them in a situation to be successful." (13:54)
• "This was a big upset... a lot of people didn't think Miami could do this."
  – Jonas Knox (16:54)
• "It's what you do up front that's going to be the real big test for Ryan Day."
  – Dan Byer (16:54)
• NFL banter:
  • Jonas: "Hey, that stripper really likes me. No she doesn't. She does not... And I'm the same guy—fall victim to this every time. And I'll let you know this right now, I'm probably gonna bet on the Ravens. I probably am. And they're probably gonna kick me right in the nuts like they've done all year long." (31:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ohio State Loss Gut Check & Initial Reactions: 02:46–05:00
• "Miami's Night" and The Playoff Upset Breakdown: 03:54–04:38, 09:57–12:47
• America Cheering for 'the U': 05:57–07:26, 18:16–19:02
• Debate on Playoff Inclusion/Fairness: 08:00–09:57
• Ryan Day’s Comments & Coaching Future: 13:54–16:54
• NFL Week 18: Steelers vs. Ravens Preview & Coach Futures: 29:36–39:13
• New Year's Traditions and Bizarre Family Habits: 47:57–52:45

Tone and Style

The show maintains a conversational, irreverent, and humorous tone, frequently blending analysis with personal anecdotes, playful jabs, and sports radio banter.

Summary Takeaways

• The shock of Miami’s win over defending champs Ohio State dominates sports talk—and social media—due to both the result and the way the game played out (OSU’s poor start, Miami’s run, and wild swings).
• The upset is widely celebrated beyond typical Miami fans, with national sentiment unexpectedly rallying against Ohio State and the Big Ten as college football’s villains.
• Questions linger about the fairness and purpose of the current playoff system; does one big win justify a team’s selection, or reveal the randomness of single-elimination?
• For Ohio State, the future is clouded: coaching changes, questions about talent pipelines, and the limitations of star skill players when the line play falters.
• NFL discussion foreshadows skepticism over playoff-caliber teams and old broadcast traditions, with the hosts having fun at the expense of stale rivalries and TV tropes.
• The episode closes with familial warmth and self-deprecating humor as the hosts share oddball New Year's traditions, grounding the sports angst in light-hearted personal connection.

Perfect for listeners who want to relive the emotional aftermath of a seismic college football upset and enjoy spirited, relatable sports talk laced with humor and nostalgia.