Podcast Summary: The McShay Show - Conference Championship Reactions, CFP Predictions with Ryan Russillo

Podcast Information:

• Title: The McShay Show
• Host/Author: The Ringer
• Episode: Conference Championship Reactions, CFP Predictions with Ryan Russillo
• Release Date: December 8, 2024

Overview: In this episode of The McShay Show, seasoned NFL draft and college football analyst Todd McShay joins forces with Ryan Russillo and Mitch to dissect the outcomes of the recent conference championship games, evaluate key performances, and predict the College Football Playoff (CFP) lineups. The discussion spans multiple teams, with a particular focus on the Georgia vs. Texas game, the performance of Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, and the evolving dynamics within the SEC and Big Ten conferences.

1. Opening Remarks and Initial Reactions

Todd McShay kicks off the episode with reflections on Championship Saturday, expressing excitement and gratitude for Ryan Russillo's participation:

• "It's Championship Saturday does not disappoint. What a day." [03:11]
• "We've had a pretty good crowd for Saturday night." [72:52]

Ryan Russillo humorously recounts his attire mishap during the show, adding a light-hearted start to the analysis.

2. Georgia vs. Texas Championship Game Analysis

The bulk of the discussion centers on the Georgia vs. Texas game, highlighting Texas's offensive struggles and Georgia's resilience.

Todd McShay criticizes Texas's inconsistency on offense:

• "Texas, to me, I struggle with them because I feel like all season long they have, they can't seem to put together a consistent four-quarter performance on the offensive side of the football." [04:04]
• "They had two drives, only three points. Then a third drive...it's 6-0. This is not how you beat a damn good Georgia football team." [05:00]

Mitch attributes Texas's loss to penalties and poor offensive execution:

• "The penalties killed them...they can't run the ball against Georgia." [06:48]

Ryan Russillo echoes these sentiments, noting the impact of penalties and Texas's inability to capitalize on opportunities:

• "I think, Todd, you're absolutely right...the first 20 minutes of domination, and it's six nothing." [07:33]
• "If you can't run the ball, you commit penalties at key times, you don't take advantage of your opportunities, you're going to lose to a team like Georgia." [07:33]

Key Play Analysis:

• The shift in momentum due to Carson Beck's injury and the introduction of Gunner Stockton significantly altered Georgia's offensive dynamics.
• Todd McShay remarks on the unexpected contributions from Georgia's receivers Mitchell Golden and DeAndre Moore:
  • "If you had told me coming in the game that golden and Moore...would combine for 17, 276 yards...I'd be like, all right." [09:23]

Notable Quotes:

• "Missed the two field goals and everything. They got after yours again." – Mitch [09:35]
• "Gunner Stockton comes in and the whole dynamic of the game changes." – Todd McShay [10:03]

3. Carson Beck's Injury and Its Impact

The conversation delves into the controversial play involving Carson Beck's injury and subsequent return to the game.

Todd McShay expresses bewilderment over Beck's return after injury:

• "How can he play this play if he wasn't playing the rest of the game?" [16:18]
• "They're playing possum here. They're selling this because no one walks with their arm like that." [17:30]

Ryan Russillo and Mitch discuss the implications of Beck's limited participation and Georgia's strategic adjustments post-injury.

Notable Quotes:

• "He's a damn warrior...but he's not going to be himself the rest of this game." – Todd McShay [23:24]
• "He feels like he's going to break it every single time." – Ryan Russillo [22:15]

4. Oregon's Dominant Performance in Big Ten Championship

Shifting focus to the Big Ten Championship, Todd McShay praises Oregon's performance against Penn State:

• "Oregon showed exactly what you need to show as the number one team...they took over your party in the Big Ten." [29:55]
• "Tez Johnson was unbelievable tonight, 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown." [30:00]

Ryan Russillo highlights Penn State's improved defense but acknowledges Oregon's offensive prowess:

• "This is the best I felt about a Penn State team in years." [32:39]
• "Oregon to have guys like Tez, they're so much more dynamic." [35:04]

Mitch raises concerns about Oregon's defense, which has given up significant points in key games:

• "They gave up 34 to Boise State, 31 to Ohio State, and 37 to Penn State." [35:08]
• "I wonder if that's going to catch up with them at some point." [35:18]

Notable Quotes:

• "Oregon is the best team." – Todd McShay [35:35]
• "They don't have anybody else at wide receiver, it's all about Tez." – Mitch [46:27]

5. Playoff Predictions and CFP Seeding Discussions

The trio engages in a heated debate about potential CFP seeding, particularly focusing on the inclusion of SMU and the status of SEC teams.

Todd McShay, Ryan Russillo, and Mitch express skepticism about SEC dominance this year and discuss the possibility of SMU securing a CFP berth.

• Todd McShay: "Georgia scares me the most, but I don't know where I am with these two teams." [23:24]
• Ryan Russillo: "I don't like Beck at all...I have a hard time...he's not that guy." [24:29]
• Mitch: "I would be the guy who would agree, like, hey, who really actually wants to play Bama in some of those other years?" [75:23]

They debate the merits of teams like South Carolina, Ole Miss, Alabama, and SMU, weighing recent performances and historical strengths.

Notable Quotes:

• "If SMU is in over Bama, I'm not going to freak out after that chaotic SEC Saturday night." – Mitch [75:57]
• "I just don't know where I am with these two teams." – Todd McShay [23:24]
• "There's a lot of flawed teams...I don't know." – Mitch [41:46]

6. Quarterback Evaluations and the "Confidence Draft"

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to evaluating quarterbacks from the leading teams and discussing the upcoming "Quarterback Confidence Draft."

Todd McShay anticipates a confidence draft to assess the top 12 quarterbacks once the playoff teams are finalized:

• "Once we know the 12 quarterbacks, we're going to do a confident quarterback confidence draft." [27:41]

Ryan Russillo and Mitch share their views on various quarterbacks, highlighting strengths and weaknesses:

• Ryan Russillo: Prefers other quarterbacks over Carson Beck, citing inconsistency and decision-making issues. "I like Aller maybe better than both those guys. I like Club Nick better than Beck." [25:02]
• Mitch: Emphasizes trust and efficiency in quarterbacks, mentioning Dylan Gabriel as a top prospect. "The best college quarterback right now is Dylan Gabriel." [27:20]

Notable Quotes:

• "Dylan would probably be number one." – Todd McShay [27:57]
• "With him, you almost feel like you have to remind him, hey." – Ryan Russillo [25:38]

7. Evaluations of Other Conference Teams

Beyond the championship contenders, the hosts analyze performances from teams in other conferences, including SMU, Clemson, Penn State, and Arizona State.

Mitch praises Clemson's disciplined play despite their loss, noting the lack of penalties:

• "Alabama's a better team...Clemson didn't commit a penalty night. That's just incredible." [56:28]

Todd McShay expresses admiration for Arizona State's offensive strategy under coach Kenny Dillingham:

• "What Kenny Dillingham has done is brilliant...they run the ball a lot but lack depth in run defense." [70:41]

Ryan Russillo highlights Penn State's tough matchup and their physical play:

• "This is the best I felt about a Penn State team in years." [32:39]

Notable Quotes:

• "Their defense was better than expected." – Todd McShay [70:41]
• "They don't have anybody else at wide receiver, it's all about Tez." – Mitch [46:27]

8. Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Segments

As the episode wraps up, the hosts discuss upcoming content, including further playoff discussions and the “Quarterback Confidence Draft.”

Todd McShay hints at continuing the conversation on the following episodes:

• "On Tuesday, we're back here. We're gonna expand that conversation, get into, start looking at the matchups and also the quarterback confidence draft." [74:52]

Ryan Russillo encourages listeners to tune into his show for additional insights:

• "We'll talk about it...give you another hardcore dose of college ball here." [73:56]

Mitch emphasizes the unpredictability of playoff selections and the importance of evaluating teams beyond win-loss records.

Key Takeaways:

1. Georgia vs. Texas Game:

   • Texas's offensive inconsistency and penalties were pivotal in their loss to Georgia.
   • Carson Beck's injury and Gunner Stockton's emergence significantly shifted the game's momentum.

2. Oregon's Performance:

   • Oregon showcased dominant offensive capabilities but raised questions about their defensive consistency.
   • Tez Johnson's outstanding performance stands out as a key factor in their victory.

3. CFP Seeding Controversies:

   • Debates surround the inclusion of SMU and the status of traditional SEC powerhouses.
   • The committee's reliance on win-loss records without sufficient weight on other factors remains a point of contention.

4. Quarterback Evaluations:

   • A critical look at Carson Beck, with skepticism about his readiness and consistency.
   • Upcoming "Quarterback Confidence Draft" aims to objectively assess the top contenders.

5. Conference Strengths and Weaknesses:

   • The SEC appears to have a down year, while the Big Ten sees strong performances from teams like Oregon and Penn State.
   • Arizona State's offensive strategy under Dillingham is impressive, though their run defense needs improvement.

Notable Quotes Overview:

• "If you can't run the ball, you commit penalties at key times, you're going to lose to a team like Georgia." – Mitch [07:33]
• "Oregon is the best team." – Todd McShay [35:35]
• "I like Aller maybe better than both those guys." – Ryan Russillo [25:02]
• "They don't have anybody else at wide receiver, it's all about Tez." – Mitch [46:27]
• "The penalties killed them, man." – Mitch [06:48]

Conclusion: This episode of The McShay Show provides comprehensive insights into the college football landscape post-conference championships. With expert analysis from Todd McShay, Ryan Russillo, and Mitch, listeners gain a deeper understanding of team performances, quarterback prospects, and the nuanced debates surrounding CFP selections. As the CFP approaches, the hosts promise continued in-depth discussions and evaluations, ensuring fans stay informed and engaged with the evolving season.