The McShay Show (The Ringer):

Episode: "10 Tape Truths From Week 9: LSU’s Next Head Coach, Ole Miss Rising, Haynes King as Tebow 2.0, and More"
Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Todd McShay
Guest Co-host: Steve ("Mensch")

Episode Overview

This episode is a classic "Tape Truths" Monday, where Todd McShay and co-host Steve break down their ten biggest film takeaways from the previous college football weekend. The show is charged by the shocking firing of LSU's Brian Kelly, the ever-churning coaching carousel, key player performances, and intriguing developments among rising programs and NFL draft prospects.

The tone is energetic, candid, and often personal, with McShay blending extensive football analysis with behind-the-scenes stories, a touch of irreverent humor, and earnest industry insight.

Key Topics & Tape Truths

1. LSU Fires Brian Kelly – Coaching Carousel Goes Wild

Segment: 00:55–21:00

• Todd's unique vantage: McShay, with deep roots both in the Northeast and the South, discusses why Brian Kelly, despite initial acceptance, never fully fit LSU's culture.
• "At first Brian Kelly was a visitor...They embraced him. Then he became a resident and... there seemed to be this divide." — Todd, 09:00
• Cultural fit is crucial: LSU is now seeking someone "ingrained in the Southeast" for its next head coach.
• High-profile targets: Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin, Dan Lanning, and Joe Brady are circulating as serious candidates.
• On Saban: "Privately, there will be an offer made that will make Nick (Saban) walk into his home office with Ms. Terry and say, 'let’s at least talk about this for a minute.'" — Todd, 17:48
• LSU's search criteria are clear: proven winners, cultural insiders, and someone who understands the seismic shifts in college football.

Memorable Exchange:

• Steve texts Todd mid-game about seeing Kelly with the deputy AD, comparing it to Herm Edwards’ final walk at Arizona State.
  "Do all those people meet and...put the plan of action in place if it hadn't been brewing?" — Todd, 11:06
  "No, no, no." — Steve, 11:26

2. Tape Truth #1: Ohio State’s Offensive Line – Good, not Special

Segment: 21:18–26:07

• No first-round OL talents, but cohesion is strong.
• Right side is a vulnerability, especially against elite defensive fronts.
• On team identity:
  "They're not great athletes, but they fight like hell to stay in front in pass protection." — Steve, 23:41
• Watch for true tests vs. Penn State and especially Michigan.

3. Tape Truth #2: Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss – SEC’s Most Fearsome QB Right Now

Segment: 27:33–35:59

• Chambliss not the best QB overall, but most difficult for defenses week-to-week, especially under Lane Kiffin.
• Fast eyes, decisiveness, and physical tools stand out, but still struggles with finesse/touch throws.
• "Lane has gotten him to the point where he totally understands where to look with those eyes, what he’s looking for and what the beater is." — Todd, 29:47
• Projected as a legitimate NFL draft pick as a developmental QB.

4. Tape Truth #3: Marcel Reed & Texas A&M – Electric, But Gettable

Segment: 36:00–43:51

• Tremendous quickness and stop-start ability draws Lamar Jackson comps (with less top-end speed).
• Reed thrives in chaos and punishes undisciplined defenses but can be forced into mistakes by disciplined/athletic opponents.
• Key stat: All seven A&M sacks on LSU were from four-man rushes (no blitz).
• "He exploits defenses that get out of position... but Missouri and Texas are two defenses that are going to give Marcel Reed a lot of trouble." — Todd, 40:09

5. Tape Truth #4: Harold Perkins Is Not LSU's Scapegoat

Segment: 47:24–52:20

• Perkins underperforming as an off-ball linebacker, but LSU's defensive issues are systemic.
• "This defense is an absolute mess... It's a systematic problem for LSU on defense." — Steve, 50:36
• Draft projection for Perkins at linebacker now in serious doubt; may need a specialized role (star/hybrid).

6. Tape Truth #5: Alabama WR Ryan Williams’ Drops – A Real Problem

Segment: 53:52–61:27

• 14 drops on 143 catches over two years—10% drop rate, concerning for a prospect of his caliber.
• Drops fall into three categories: late eyes/lacking confidence, trouble tracking deep balls, and bracing for contact.
• "Someone this talented should not have a 10% drop percentage... He’s worrying about oncoming contact." — Todd, 58:30

7. Tape Truth #6: Pitt’s Freshman QB Mason Hychel – Spoiler Alert

Segment: 61:30–64:02

• 18-year-old freshman; since taking over, Pitt averaging 41.3 points.
• Big-play offense with multiple deep threats and dynamic special teams.
• Strong "spoiler" potential in the playoff race with games left against Notre Dame, GT, and Miami.
• "There’s enough there for them to surprise one of these teams and make an impact on the playoffs." — Steve, 63:35

8. Tape Truth #7: North Texas’ Drew Messamaker – From JV Backup to FBS Star

Segment: 64:04–67:25

• Messamaker was a JV backup in high school; now an FBS breakout.
• Playing with “poise and freedom,” North Texas is 7-1 and leading FBS in scoring.
• "They play young and dumb... they just don’t know any better and they’re just letting it rip. It’s fun to watch." — Steve, 65:47

9. Tape Truth #8: Haynes King is Tim Tebow 2.0 – Georgia Tech's Driving Force

Segment: 67:39–74:44

• "Haynes King is Tim Tebow 2.0 without the Florida fit and the supporting cast." — Todd, 67:49
• King's toughness, running threat, and leadership recall Tebow’s college dominance.
• Georgia Tech's undefeated run puts King in the national spotlight.
• "I’m watching an undefeated season for Georgia Tech and looking around... this is all Haynes King." — Todd, 73:12
• Steve: "There’s no one tougher or more competitive than Haynes King." — Steve, 74:01

10. Tape Truth #9: Cincinnati's Offense is a Juggernaut

Segment: 74:48–77:43

• QB Brennan Sorsby is firing, avoided an interception since the opener.
• Ravaging teams on 4th down (10-11 conversions), balanced running game, and dangerous RB Tawi Walker.
• "They are dangerous when they keep the ball... I love the Cincinnati offense and would not want to play them right now." — Steve, 77:41

11. Tape Truth #10: BYU’s Bear Batchmeyer – Run-Heavy, Old-School Vibes Are Back

Segment: 77:43–86:43

• BYU’s offense is reminiscent of the '80s—run heavy, play action, developed athletes.
• Freshman QB "Bear" Batchmeyer has found a rhythm; offense is peaking heading into a tough November stretch.
• Developmental success: WRs Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts are classic case studies in "program guys" who’ve blossomed in upperclass years.
• "All that stuff is to set up... the most important thing I’m going to tell you is that it’s all about catching that split second... and with a young quarterback, he was finding those guys. But it was inconsistent... now it's happening faster." — Todd, 83:32

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Brian Kelly’s firing foreshadowed:
  "The sharks are circling. They have been. People didn’t know quite to the level. And they were waiting on an opportunity to say 'this is the moment.'" — Todd, 09:45
• On Southern vs. Northeastern culture:
  "In the Northeast, we’re very intellectual... what you see is what you get. Go fuck yourself. That’s kind of the culture. But we love hard here. We just love differently down South." — Todd, 06:21
• Chambliss on NFL draft radar:
  "I’m drafting Trinidad at some point in April... and he does have a good deal of game experience, just not at this level." — Todd, 34:04
• Haynes King comp:
  "God only makes a handful of these kind of competitive cats... we got a fullback playing quarterback. And that’s what Tim (Tebow) was." — Todd, 71:03
• On football rabbit holes:
  "Sometimes, you go in to watch a tape—think you’ll be there for an hour. Then you get grabbed by something and wind up in a rabbit hole." — Todd, 79:21

Timestamps: Key Segments

• LSU/Brian Kelly firing deep-dive: 00:55–21:00
• Ohio State OL breakdown: 21:18–26:07
• Ole Miss QB Chambliss analysis: 27:33–35:59
• Texas A&M QB Reed: 36:00–43:51
• LSU defense/Perkins debate: 47:24–52:29
• Alabama WR Williams drops: 53:52–61:27
• ACC Spoiler Pitt’s Hychel: 61:30–64:02
• North Texas Messamaker story: 64:04–67:25
• Haynes King as Tebow 2.0: 67:39–74:44
• Cincinnati offense/Sorsby: 74:48–77:43
• BYU’s Bear Batchmeyer: 77:43–86:43

Episode Takeaways

This edition of The McShay Show is a treasure-trove for college football junkies and NFL draft followers. McShay and Steve blend keen evaluation with real-time reaction to one of the year's biggest stories (LSU’s coaching shock). Their willingness to critique big-name players, identify hidden gems, and challenge conventional narratives—often with personal anecdotes—makes the show both informative and relatable.

Fans will walk away with plenty of new names to watch, a deeper understanding of major storylines, and a sense of college football’s ever-changing landscape.