The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 2: NFL Week 14, Pete Bevacqua

iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network | December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

Hour 2 of The Dan Patrick Show focuses on reactions to NFL Week 14, with in-depth commentary on playoff races, surprising results, and team outlooks. The hour’s highlight is an extended, candid interview with Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua, delving into Notre Dame’s exclusion from the college football playoff, their controversial decision to skip a bowl game, and escalating tensions with the ACC. The show keeps its signature blend of humor and insider perspective, offering both analysis and passionate debate.

NFL Week 14: Reactions and Storylines

Chiefs’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle

• Dan discusses the Chiefs’ recent loss and their shrinking playoff chances, referencing guest Chris Simms’ bold prediction that Kansas City is "done, done."
  • Quote: "I think their chances are like 16%, something like that." (07:38)
• Patrick Mahomes’ post-game comments on a failed 4th down and confidence in the offense are played.
  • Mahomes: “I’ll never question the decision to go for it because I believe in the offense and who we are.” (07:25)

Texans’ Surging Defense

• Dan praises the Texans’ defense, suggesting their offense only needs to provide 21 points for consistent wins.
  • "Nobody’s going to want to face that defense. Now if the offense and C.J. Stroud... can provide 21 points, that feels like that's enough..." (07:38)

Drama Across the League

• Bengals' missed opportunities vs. the Bills; Burrow’s costly interceptions.
• NFC South "weirdness" continues, with the underdog Saints overcoming the Buccaneers.
• Ravens’ controversial overturned touchdown sparks discussion about ambiguous "football move" rulings and league consistency. John Harbaugh’s explanation is played:
  • Harbaugh: “You have to survive the ground… he was catching the ball on the way down with another person.” (08:24)

Poll Questions & Fan Engagement

• Polls discussed: Notre Dame’s playoff exclusion ("Got hosed," "Will change the playoffs," "Being petty," "All of the above"), Chiefs’ playoff chances, and Week 14’s “worst loss.”
  • Dan’s take: "I'd say the Chiefs because...Vegas had them as one of the favorites...and now looks like they're done." (14:34)

Daniel Jones’ Injury Fallout

• Paulie breaks down the financial and career ramifications for Colts QB Daniel Jones, whose season-ending injury may cost him a lucrative free agent contract.
  • “If he stays healthy...he's going to get a hundred million dollar deal...Now his career is completely in flux.” (15:39)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CONTROVERSY:

Notre Dame’s Playoff Snub & Bowl Opt-Out

Setting the Stage

• Dan previews the interview with ND Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua, promising answers about the playoff snub, decision to skip a bowl, and friction with the ACC.
  • Dan: “I wish they would have played in a bowl game, but I understand why they didn’t because they had nothing to gain here...” (12:26)
  • Todd: “Should Notre Dame care that this could come across as sore losers and...afraid of the downside of losing to BYU?” (13:25)

Featured Interview: Pete Bevacqua, Notre Dame Athletic Director

[23:31 - 37:41]

1. Reaction to Playoff Exclusion

• Bevacqua calls the process “frustrating” and says Notre Dame felt “the rug pulled out from underneath us.”

  • “Every step along the way since the first CFP rankings...we were led to believe we were in as long as we took care of business. And we certainly took care of business with this 10 game winning streak...all of a sudden, we're 11th and on the outside looking in.” — Pete Bevacqua (23:36)

• He laments lack of logic and transparency:

  • “Where’s the logic? Where’s the rationale? Why are we being punished and the only ones that seem to be moving in the wrong direction and yet winning and having a dominant end to the season? We’re confused, we’re sad, and Dan, we’re frustrated.” (25:03)

2. Did the ACC Sabotage Notre Dame?

• Bevacqua heavily implies the ACC undermined ND's candidacy, stressing damaged relations:
  • “We were mystified by the actions of the conference to attack their biggest, really business partner in football...They have certainly done permanent damage to the relationship between the conference and Notre Dame.” (26:47)
• When pressed on whether the relationship is irreparable:
  • “Well, you never say irreparable, but it’s opened our eyes...and it caught our attention.” (28:49)
  • Dan: “Are you going to reevaluate your relationship with the ACC?”
    Pete: “I would just say it’s been strained.” (28:34)

3. Opt-Out Decision: Players Led the Way

• Bevacqua insists the decision to opt out of the bowl game was "player-driven," not administrative:
  • “To a person, the captains...and underclassmen...said, listen, we are such a close knit team. We've done so much this season...We can't imagine taking the field not as that team...We made the decision that it was time to start thinking about next season.” (29:33)

4. Changes to Future Playoff Format

• Dan asks if Notre Dame is guaranteed a playoff spot if ranked in the top 12 next season.
  • “That's certainly been reported. That's out there. And what you said is accurate.” (31:21)
• On playoff expansion:
  • “I firmly believe that the right answer is 16 teams with five automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large...the majority...of the College Football Management Committee room agree with me. I think anything beyond 16...is a mistake.” (32:00)
  • Bevacqua predicts a 12-team field for next year but continues to push for 16. (33:46)

5. The Broader Issue: "It’s the Process"

• Bevacqua is clear it's not about sour grapes or the individual teams selected. It’s about the lack of process clarity and shifting standards:
  • “It’s the process that bothers us.” (34:11)
  • “The rankings can’t just be musical chairs at some, you know, fifth grade birthday party. They have to mean something. And to me, what happened to us really kind of was alarming.” (35:26)

6. Light Moment: Pop Tart Bowl

• On the irony of not playing in the Pop Tart Bowl:
  • Dan: “You’re not anti Pop Tarts, right?”
  • Bevacqua: “Dan, the irony in that is I love Pop Tarts and I...particularly love the brown sugar Pop Tarts. I probably eat too many of them now.” (36:34)

7. Notre Dame Lore

• Dan comments on the bench seats in Bevacqua’s office, taken from Notre Dame Stadium, with some over a century old—a nod to tradition and history. (37:02)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dan: “You just want to know what the rules are. And I'm not a Notre Dame apologist...I'm just saying, let's just look at common sense here.” (37:41)
• Bevacqua: “If Notre Dame is ranked in the top 12 next year, they're in. Zero wiggle room this season—turns out we didn't have a chance.” (31:36)
• Bevacqua: “The process has to be clear. These ranking shows...get the hopes up...then just felt in that room a collective sense of the rug being taken out from under us.” (35:18)
• Bevacqua (on the ACC): “They have certainly done permanent damage to the relationship...” (26:47)

Callers & Danettes: Best/Worst of the Weekend

[44:14–52:10]

• Fans highlight Indiana’s Cinderella season, and mixed sympathies for Notre Dame.
• Some callers say ND is acting “arrogant” by skipping the bowl game; others sympathize with the “process” outrage.
• Dan points out that Indiana’s rise is historically unprecedented—even more so than Deion Sanders’ turnaround at Colorado.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Personal health/talking (Opening): [03:39]
• NFL Weekend Recap (Colts, Chiefs, controversial calls): [05:34–15:39]
• Notre Dame Playoff Discussion Pre-Bevacqua: [12:26–17:54]
• Pete Bevacqua Interview: [23:31–37:41]
• Fan/Listener “Best and Worst of the Weekend”: [44:14–52:10]

Episode Summary

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers both the sharp, entertaining deconstruction of NFL Week 14 that fans have come to expect, and a headline-grabbing segment on the Notre Dame playoff controversy. Pete Bevacqua's appearance delivers rare candor—confirming deep institutional frustration, accusations of sabotage by the ACC, and the emotional footing of ND’s decisions. The episode is essential listening for any fan invested in the current and future states of college football, playoff structures, conference politics, and the drama unfolding week to week in the NFL.