Podcast Summary: The McShay Show - "Cotton Bowl Instant Reactions: An Ohio State–Notre Dame Natty, Jack Sawyer’s Signature Moment, and Quinn Ewers’s Next Move"

Release Date: January 11, 2025
Host: Todd McShay
Guest: Matt

1. Episode Introduction

After bypassing the advertisements and promotional segments, the episode kicks off with Todd McShay and his co-host Matt diving directly into their analysis of the recent Ohio State versus Notre Dame game. The hosts express their enthusiasm for engaging with the audience and providing in-depth insights into the game’s pivotal moments.

2. Instant Reactions to the Ohio State–Notre Dame Game

Jack Sawyer’s Game-Changing Play

• Todd McShay [02:01]: "And then Captain Jack messed it all up. No, I mean, what an amazing play. This is like the top, top three plays in the history of Ohio State."
• Matt [03:21]: "Sawyer was there in a heartbeat. Every other big guy, I thought they’d never make it to the end zone."

The hosts highlight Jack Sawyer’s crucial strip sack that sealed the game for Ohio State, emphasizing its significance as one of Ohio State’s all-time great plays. They commend Sawyer's swift reaction and game intelligence, noting his first recruit status under Ryan Day and his impactful leadership on the field.

Quinn Ewers’s Performance and Future

• Todd McShay [10:13]: "Quinn Ewers just... excellent on finesse throws, layering the ball over touch, angles. But when you need someone to just rip it right, he's not your guy."
• Matt [27:03]: "If you put Ewers in now, looking at where he is, he's more like a third or fourth-round draft pick."

The discussion transitions to quarterback Quinn Ewers, analyzing his performance throughout the season. While acknowledging his finesse and poise under pressure, the hosts critique his lack of decisiveness and consistency, suggesting that another year in college could benefit his draft stock and readiness for the NFL.

3. Defensive Analysis: Dominance and Strategy

Ohio State and Texas Defensive Prowess

• Todd McShay [05:28]: "The back seven of both these defenses were absolutely phenomenal... like NFL defenses with college uniforms."
• Matt [56:13]: "Their front seven has steadily been climbing in the last month."

Todd and Matt delve into the exceptional performance of both Ohio State and Texas defenses, praising their zone coverage, discipline, and ability to disguise coverages effectively. They compare the defensive strategies to those seen in the NFL, noting the level of professionalism and execution that frustrated the opposing quarterbacks.

Impact of Defensive Adjustments

• Todd McShay [35:17]: "Al Golden's defense coordinator is going to have to come in and say that's our identity... or switch it up."
• Matt [38:04]: "The defensive front is playing better than we hoped; it's brutal sledding for Notre Dame."

The hosts discuss potential adjustments Notre Dame might need to make to counter Ohio State’s defensive strategies, considering whether the team will stick to their established identity or adapt to the formidable offensive line presented by Ohio State.

4. Offensive Line Performance and Penalties

Ohio State’s Offensive Line Challenges

• Matt [59:17]: "The penalties were tough... they're not the best offensive line in the country, but they gut it out."
• Todd McShay [60:55]: "With Simmons as a first-round offensive tackle and Jackson adjusting to guard spot, their line shows resilience."

Despite suffering from penalties and the loss of key players, Ohio State’s offensive line is commended for their tenacity and ability to protect the quarterback and establish the run game. The hosts discuss the impact of these challenges on the team’s overall performance and draft prospects of the linemen.

5. Key Player Performances

Will Howard’s Dual Role

• Matt [10:13]: "He threw one to Scott in traffic and another through Hill’s hands... he needs to be more consistent."
• Todd McShay [22:32]: "Howard hasn’t carried the team in previous games, but he distributed big plays tonight."

Will Howard’s performance is dissected, highlighting his dual role in both passing and running plays. While acknowledging his moments of inconsistency, Todd and Matt recognize his ability to open up space for other players and contribute significantly when needed.

Carnell Tate’s Contribution

• Todd McShay [51:55]: "Carnell Tate stepped up with 7 for 87 yards... he’s a number one or two threat."
• Matt [58:44]: "He had a big tackle on that goal line run, showing his impact even without the ball."

Carnell Tate receives praise for his substantial yards and crucial tackles, underscoring his importance to the team’s offensive strategy and defensive support.

6. Draft Prospects and Future Moves

Quinn Ewers and Other Quarterbacks

• Todd McShay [43:42]: "Quinn Ewers didn’t look ready to go to the NFL; he needs another year to develop."
• Matt [47:17]: "Ewers might be a third-round pick, but the class is weak, potentially inflating his draft value slightly."

The conversation shifts to draft prospects, particularly focusing on quarterbacks like Quinn Ewers, Garrett Nussmeier, and Carson Beck. The hosts debate the readiness of these players for the NFL, advocating for additional development time in college to enhance their draft stock and professional preparedness.

Advisory Committee Insights

• Matt [47:17]: "If I were on the advisory committee, I’d grade Ewers as ‘go back to school’."
• Todd McShay [43:28]: "NFL teams agree Ewers isn’t ready for a first-round pick."

They further discuss the role of the NFL advisory committee in guiding players' decisions regarding early declarations, stressing the importance of these evaluations in safeguarding players’ futures.

7. Audience Interaction and Live Reactions

Live Betting Spread Discussion

• Todd McShay [27:09]: "The spread is nine and a half points favored to Ohio State... seems high for the championship."
• Matt [28:03]: "It’s a big number for a championship game, but Ohio State deserves it."

The hosts engage with live audience inputs, reviewing various betting spreads for the upcoming national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame. They analyze the plausibility of the spreads, reflecting on Ohio State’s dominance and the defensive strengths of both teams.

8. Looking Ahead: National Championship Preview

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame Predictions

• Todd McShay [35:54]: "They have to guard against Notre Dame dragging them into a fight they’re not comfortable fighting."
• Matt [57:07]: "Jeremiah Smith is excited for the next game, looking forward to his contributions."

In anticipation of the national championship, Todd and Matt explore potential game plans, defensive adjustments, and key matchups. They emphasize the need for Ohio State to maintain their defensive prowess while addressing any offensive line issues to secure victory against a resilient Notre Dame team.

9. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Recap and Future Shows

• Todd McShay [61:18]: "We’ll break it down from every angle, including draft analysis and behind-the-scenes insights."
• Matt [62:00]: "Appreciate everyone staying up late; we'll continue this discussion on Tuesday."

The episode concludes with the hosts summarizing their key points from the game analysis and drafting insights. They express gratitude to the growing audience for their participation and encourage listeners to tune in for upcoming shows, promising more interactive and detailed discussions on future games and draft developments.

Notable Quotes

• Todd McShay [02:01]: "What an amazing play. This is like the top, top three plays in the history of Ohio State."
• Matt [03:21]: "Sawyer was there in a heartbeat. Every other big guy, I thought they’d never make it to the end zone."
• Todd McShay [10:13]: "Quinn Ewers just... excellent on finesse throws, layering the ball over touch, angles. But when you need someone to just rip it right, he's not your guy."
• Matt [47:17]: "I’d give him a third-round grade. The class is so weak, it’s probably going to inflate his value a little bit."
• Todd McShay [27:09]: "The spread is nine and a half points favored to Ohio State... seems high for the championship."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and analyses presented by Todd McShay and Matt during the episode. From game reactions and player performances to draft prospects and live audience interactions, listeners are provided with a thorough understanding of the episode’s content, even if they haven't tuned in.