The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 3 – Gottlieb and Beyer Guest Hosting (January 1, 2025)

Hosts: Doug Gottlieb and Dan Beyer
Guests: Jared Smith (Fox Sports Radio Betting Analyst)
Release Date: January 1, 2025

1. Technical Difficulties and New Year’s Greetings ([02:33] - [05:28])

The episode kicks off with hosts Doug Gottlieb and Dan Beyer addressing some technical issues while welcoming listeners to the New Year. Doug shares his personal experience celebrating New Year’s Eve at his father-in-law’s house, highlighting the joy of being surrounded by family after a challenging year:

Doug Gottlieb ([03:04]): "We were up till one."

Dan Beyer reminisces about past New Year’s celebrations with his son, expressing empathy for parents dealing with energetic children during the festivities:

Dan Beyer ([04:45]): "So to all parents out there who wanted to go to bed and their kid kept them up, we feel for you today."

2. College Football Playoffs Overview ([05:28] - [17:27])

The primary focus shifts to the College Football Playoffs, with hosts analyzing the clash between Boise State and Penn State. They dissect Penn State's strengths and weaknesses, debating the likelihood of their success in the playoffs.

Key Points Discussed:

• Boise State vs. Penn State: The hosts argue whether Penn State is a deserving semifinalist, considering Boise State's strong season and historical performance.
• ACC Performance: Criticism is directed at the ACC's underwhelming performance, questioning the strength of its member schools.
• Playoff Structure Flaws: They highlight issues within the current playoff system, emphasizing the challenges non-Power 4 schools face in securing favorable seedings.

Dan Beyer ([08:26]): "It was a mismatch. It wasn't like a Sam Houston State against Georgia, first game of the year mismatch..."

Doug Gottlieb ([16:28]): "Boise State this year will, I think unfortunately because of what they did and how they played will become a victim of ... there's no benefit for Power 4 schools to play non-conference games against Mountain West schools."

The discussion underscores the systemic biases in college football playoffs, suggesting that exceptional performances by non-traditional powerhouses like Boise State are often undervalued.

3. The Idea of a College Football Commissioner ([17:27] - [23:56])

Hosts delve into Urban Meyer’s proposal for a unified college football commissioner to address existing disparities and operational challenges within the sport.

Highlights:

• Urban Meyer’s Perspective: Meyer compares the current fragmented college football landscape to attempting to integrate a league like the USFL with the NFL, emphasizing incompatible operating guidelines.

Urban Meyer ([21:44]): "They’re not operating in the same guidelines. It’s... any type of equilibrium. And that’s not going to happen."

• Feasibility of a Commissioner: Doug Gottlieb acknowledges the complexity of appointing a commissioner, noting the need for consensus among top-level schools and conferences.

Doug Gottlieb ([22:35]): "It's not something that I've given tons of thought to."

The conversation reflects skepticism about the practicality and potential effectiveness of a central governing figure in reconciling the diverse interests of college football stakeholders.

4. Jared Smith’s Betting Analysis ([29:49] - [42:47])

Jared Smith joins the hosts to provide expert betting insights on the ongoing College Football Playoffs. His analysis covers key matchups, player performances, and betting odds.

Focus Areas:

• Boise State vs. Penn State: Smith examines the offensive strategies, injury impacts, and defensive strengths, predicting that Penn State's ability to adapt will be crucial.

Jared Smith: "Penn State did the big takeaway for me and I think I created a chart last night... they were going to have to change things up and get aggressive in order for them to win this game."

• Sugar Bowl Preview: Analysis of Georgia's defense without Carson Beck against Notre Dame, emphasizing strategic adjustments and potential game outcomes.

Jared Smith: "Kirby Smart's defense is going to show up in this game. The volatility here is can Gunner Stockton be at least efficient enough?"

• Texas vs. Arizona State: Evaluation of Texas' defensive prowess and Arizona State's offensive vulnerabilities, forecasting a potential blowout.

Jared Smith: "This one could get out of hand. And the Sun Devils haven't faced the top 30 passing attack all year."

Smith’s comprehensive breakdown offers listeners valuable perspectives for making informed betting decisions, while also highlighting the unpredictability inherent in playoff football.

5. Matchup Discussions and Future Implications ([38:35] - [48:55])

The hosts continue their deep dive into critical playoff games, focusing on the Ohio State vs. Oregon showdown in the Rose Bowl.

Key Discussions:

• Ohio State vs. Oregon: Analysis of coaching strategies, player matchups, and historical performance, with a focus on Ohio State’s defensive capabilities and Oregon’s offensive adaptations.

Doug Gottlieb: "The chess match in this game is the Ohio State offense against the Oregon defense."

• Playoff Structure Evaluation: Debates the effectiveness of the current playoff system versus traditional bowl arrangements, advocating for expanded selections to better represent diverse teams.

Dan Beyer ([48:00]): "We now have 11 games that matter instead of three."

• Big 12 and Other Conferences: Reflection on the Big 12’s competitiveness and financial disparities compared to other Power conferences, discussing potential future shifts in college football power dynamics.

The conversation underscores the complexities and ongoing debates surrounding college football's playoff system, its impact on various conferences, and the broader implications for the sport's future.

6. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Topics ([48:55] - End)

As the episode nears its conclusion, hosts extend well-wishes to listeners, acknowledge recent tragedies, and tease upcoming topics. They briefly mention future discussions, including attending sporting events solo and celebrating responsibly during the holiday season.

Dan Beyer ([48:55]): "Enjoy the football. Enjoy the festivities. It will be a little bit of a throwback to how it used to be when we were kids where now the 1st of January becomes college football."

Dan Beyer ([49:00]): "Thoughts to everyone in New Orleans for that tragedy that occurred earlier today."

The episode wraps up with reminders to tune into their respective shows and platforms for ongoing sports coverage.

Conclusion

In this engaging episode of The Dan Patrick Show, guest hosts Doug Gottlieb and Dan Beyer provide in-depth analysis of the College Football Playoffs, exploring the intricacies of team matchups, playoff structures, and the broader landscape of college football. With expert insights from Jared Smith and thoughtful discussions on potential governance changes, the show offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of college football. Personal anecdotes and interactive banter add a relatable and entertaining dimension, making the episode both informative and enjoyable for fans of the sport.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dan Beyer ([04:45]):
  "So to all parents out there who wanted to go to bed and their kid kept them up, we feel for you today."

• Doug Gottlieb ([16:28]):
  "Boise State this year will, I think unfortunately because of what they did and how they played will become a victim of ... there's no benefit for Power 4 schools to play non-conference games against Mountain West schools."

• Urban Meyer ([21:44]):
  "They’re not operating in the same guidelines. It’s... any type of equilibrium. And that’s not going to happen."

• Jared Smith ([29:49]):
  "Penn State did the big takeaway for me and I think I created a chart last night... they were going to have to change things up and get aggressive in order for them to win this game."

• Dan Beyer ([48:00]):
  "We now have 11 games that matter instead of three."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, expert analyses, and personal stories while omitting non-content segments such as advertisements and intros. Notable quotes are integrated with accurate timestamps to provide context and emphasize significant moments within the show.