The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 2 – Oregon/Indiana Preview, Chris Fowler
Date: January 9, 2026
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show is a dynamic mix of sports analysis, humor, listener interaction, and insider perspective. The main focus revolves around college football: a recap of the dramatic Miami vs. Ole Miss Fiesta Bowl, anticipation for the Oregon vs. Indiana playoff matchup, and a thoughtful interview with veteran college football commentator Chris Fowler. Other segments include playful banter about movie trailers, debates on what truly defines a "great" athlete, and takes on the state of college football—with plenty of memorable quotes and laughs among the regular crew.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami vs. Ole Miss Fiesta Bowl Recap

• Dan and the crew open with reactions to the thrilling Miami win, highlighting Miami's record-breaking 41-minute time of possession, and Michael Irvin's enthusiastic presence on the sideline as Miami's "hype man."
  • (04:30) Dan: "Miami had the ball for 41 minutes. It's the largest time of possession in any college football playoff game in history."
• Paulie brings up the emotional investment displayed by Miami's coaching staff, and the conversation segues into the key moments that defined the game.

Officiating Controversy: The Final Play

• The show polls listeners on whether the last play of the Fiesta Bowl should have been flagged.
• Seaton discusses the inconsistency of referee calls leading up to and during the climactic play:
  • (05:41) Seaton: "You could just feel it, especially in the fourth quarter...man, they're not going to throw the flag on this one and it's going to be like, what the heck?"
• Dan critiques the lack of clarity for players and coaches about what will and won't be penalized:
  • (06:02) Dan: "I want to know how you're calling the game and if you play or you're coaching, you want to know what is going to get called and what's not."

2. Oregon vs. Indiana Preview

• Indiana is a slight favorite, and the group delves into storylines: Indiana’s physicality vs. Oregon’s finesse, the quarterback matchup, and the impressive turnaround for Indiana.
  • (08:38) Dan shares Brady Quinn’s analysis: "Indiana's physicality probably surprised Oregon, and they won't be surprised, but can they be as physical with Indiana? Indiana, that's a big team, a physical team."
• The conversation highlights Indiana QB Dante Moore's draft prospects, with Dan paraphrasing expert opinions:
  • (08:54) Dan: "Brady...said Dante Moore, if he does come out, has a chance to be the number one player taken...he liked Dante Moore as a prospect better than Fernando Mendoza. I just need to see more games with Dante Moore."

3. Chris Fowler Interview (21:12–38:05)

Preparation and Surprises in Calling Games

• "Pretty often because college football, Dan, as you know, is often messy. It's not neat, tidy, it's controversial, it's noisy, it's beautiful. And we had all of that in that game last night."
  —(21:45) Chris Fowler on unpredictability in college football broadcasts.
• Fowler recounts missed kicks, dropped interceptions, and the heartbreak for Ole Miss as small moments that culminated in last night’s game drama.

On the Fiesta Bowl Non-Call

• Fowler provides insight into the controversial non-call at game’s end, explaining differences in officiating philosophies across conferences:
  • (23:08) Chris Fowler: "It's tough to know what's going to happen...they call pass interference very differently in different leagues. I had a conversation with the officials on the field...They like to think there's a national standard. I think it's called differently."
  • (25:17) Fowler: "You can make a case that they've thrown a flag...Mutual combat is what [the rules expert] called it...there was pushing and shoving on both sides."
• Dan notes that had the flag been thrown, it would not have been a game-ending penalty, given college football's 15-yard rule.

Indiana’s Historic Turnaround

• The crew reflects on Indiana's rise, with Dan comparing it to the iconic "Hoosiers" story.
  • (28:32) Dan: "It's the greatest turnaround I've seen in this sport...it's not supposed to happen in college football. It never has historically."
• Fowler expands on Coach Signetti's brilliant portal strategy and Indiana’s unorthodox path to the top:
  • (28:32) Fowler: "[Signetti] is a brilliant evaluator of talent...He brought a bunch of key guys from James Madison...I don't know if this is going to happen again in the future either...to do what they've done."

SEC’s Decline in the Playoffs

• Discussion on SEC struggles (1–8 in bowls), and analysis of conference parity and evolving playoff dynamics:
  • (29:41) Fowler: "...it's the third straight year that a SEC team is not going to play in the championship game..."
• Fowler and Dan question the implications of playoff expansion and automatic qualifiers for power conferences.

College Football’s Messy Future

• Discourse about NIL, transfer portal chaos, and the lack of academic enforcement in modern college ball.
  • (32:48) Dan (to Fowler): "It just feels like there are things that make sense that college football should be doing. Simple guardrails here..."
  • (32:48) Fowler: "We are in the Wild west and there's no rules and it's chaos. If people really knew what was going on behind the scenes..."
  • Anecdote: long snappers getting poached with 27 offers.

Should Coach Signetti Try the NFL?

• The hosts debate whether Indiana’s head coach would transition successfully to the NFL, even as Fowler highlights his preference for teaching and the unique challenges of pro locker rooms.
  • (34:53) Dan: "Can you see Signetti trying the NFL?"
  • (35:33) Fowler: "...He seems to love college football. He would not have stayed at a lower division for as long as he did..."

4. On "Great Stats vs. Great Player" Debate

• Dan distinguishes between stat-stuffers and actual transformative talents, using NBA examples:
  • (16:38) Dan: "I think you can get numbers for a bad team. I don't think that Trey Young is a guy that you go, he can be the difference...I just, I think Trey Young is a curiosity. I don't think that he's a great player."
  • Marvin: "He might not be a winning player. I think that's the difference." (17:46)

5. Sports Predictions & Listener Calls

• The crew field calls on rankings, officiating, pie-to-the-face bets, and comparisons of current players/coaches to historic icons.
• Wrapping up with their “best week in sports” votes and lively upset predictions for NFL Wild Card weekend:
  • (41:16) Seaton (on Carson Beck): “He was a quarterback that shouldn’t be there led a team that shouldn’t be there to the national championship game. That’s about as good as it gets.”
  • (41:49) Paul (on Trinidad Chambliss): “He became the face of the program. When Kiffin left...he’s now a pretty legit pro prospect.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• (21:45) Chris Fowler:
  “College football…is often messy. It’s not neat, tidy, it’s controversial, it’s noisy, it’s beautiful. And we had all of that in that game last night.”

• (25:17) Chris Fowler:
  “Mutual combat is what [the CFP rules expert] called it. Yes, there was jersey grabbing. But he also was pushing off with the arm to create space before that. You can make a case they’d have thrown a flag…”

• (28:32) Dan Patrick:
  “It’s the greatest turnaround I’ve seen in this sport. You think Hoosiers movie is great—this to me trumps that…”

• (32:48) Chris Fowler:
  “If people really knew what was going on behind the scenes…there’s a long snapper out there…minding his own business…27 phone calls…offering him money. He’s not in the portal at all.”

• (34:07) Chris Fowler:
  “There were dudes with zero point zeros who played—the Blutarski grade point average.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:09–01:43 Morale, food talk, setting the tone
• 04:19–07:00 Discussion of Miami’s win, Michael Irvin’s sideline antics
• 08:38–09:00 Oregon/Indiana preview and analysis
• 10:35–13:14 Animal psychic story—light-hearted moment
• 15:01–16:05 Listener calls, pie-to-the-face bet management
• 16:38–18:11 Great stats vs. being a great player debate
• 21:12–38:05 Chris Fowler interview: Fiesta Bowl recap, Indiana’s rise, officiating, college football’s future
• 40:18–45:04 Callers & crew weigh in on best week in sports, NFL playoff upsets, closing thoughts

Tone & Style

• The show is conversational, humorous, and insightful, blending serious sports analysis with friendly banter and light self-deprecation. Dan and his team foster an inclusive, energetic atmosphere that invites both in-depth discussion and playful sidebars.
  • (04:10) Marvin (on the movie Primate): “There’s always that neighbor that’s in denial. ‘My pet chimp is always so calm...’”
  • (13:14) Dan (on positivity): “Fernando Mendoza is a great story. We should not take that away from him...”

Summary

Hour 2 of The Dan Patrick Show delivers a fast-paced, entertaining, and context-rich look at college football's biggest stories ahead of the weekend, most notably Miami's gritty win in the Fiesta Bowl, the unprecedented Indiana success story, and the evolving landscape of the sport. Chris Fowler’s interview stands out for its candor and behind-the-scenes perspective. The episode keeps fans invested with relatable listener calls, fun debates about athletes and upsets, and the signature laid-back camaraderie of Dan and his crew.

For fans who missed the episode:
You’ll be caught up on the biggest bowl storylines, get expert insight into officiating controversies, and hear why this Indiana season is unlike anything college football has seen. You’ll also chuckle at tales of animal psychics, pie bets, and the running joke of how much a long snapper is worth these days.