Podcast Summary: The McShay Show – Episode featuring Joel Klatt

Episode Title: Joel Klatt on Ohio State–Penn State and Colorado’s Deion Sanders Success Story. Plus, McShay’s First College Football Playoff Ranking
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Hosts: Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.
Guest: Joel Klatt, Fox Sports Lead College Football Analyst

1. Introduction and Playoff Rankings Overview

[01:41] Todd McShay kicks off the episode by introducing Mel Kiper Jr. as his co-host. The primary focus is Todd's first-ever College Football Playoff ranking, which outlines his top 12 teams. He emphasizes the significance of the new 12-team playoff system, explaining the seeding process:

• Top 4 Conference Champions are seeded 1 through 4 and receive byes in the first round.
• Remaining 8 Teams, including the 5th highest-ranked conference champion, are seeded 5 through 12 based on their final rankings.

Todd elaborates:
"The strength of record combined with the talent level of the team forms the backbone of my rankings." [02:25]

2. Detailed Team Rankings and Discussions

Oregon and Georgia are placed at the top tiers due to their exemplary strength of record and talent. Mel Kiper Jr. expresses concerns about Miami's placement at number 3, questioning their performance consistency and close game losses.

Mel comments:
"Miami has a strong backfield and talented receivers, but their schedule and close losses make me wonder if number 3 is too high for them." [06:34]

Conversely, Texas A&M is moved up to number 6, reflecting a turnaround in their program's discipline and performance under new coaching. Mel supports this shift, highlighting the team's improved execution and defense.

[07:31] Mel Kiper Jr.:
"The talent on Texas A&M's team is undeniable. Their quarterback has become more consistent, and their defensive depth is impressive."

3. Playoff System Dynamics and Future Matchups

Todd outlines potential playoff scenarios, especially highlighting key matchups between Texas and Texas A&M, which could have significant implications for the playoff standings. Both hosts agree that these games will be pivotal in determining the final rankings.

Todd notes:
"With teams like Texas and Texas A&M in the mix, we're going to see some high-stakes games that could redefine the playoff landscape." [08:21]

4. Quarterback Position Evaluation

A substantial portion of the episode delves into the evaluation of quarterbacks for the upcoming NFL Draft. Todd and Mel discuss various prospects, analyzing their readiness to transition to the professional level.

Todd emphasizes:
"Evaluating a quarterback isn't just about their college performance; it's about their readiness to contribute to an NFL organization." [16:07]

Key quarterbacks discussed include:

• Shador Sanders (Colorado): Seen as highly prepared and ready to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
• Cam Ward (Colorado): Praised for his consistency and defensive capabilities.
• Garrett Nussmeyer (LSU): Highlighted for his strong passing mechanics but questioned about his decision to return for another college season.
• Jalen Milroe (Alabama): Identified as having high upside but needing further development, particularly in pocket comfort and footwork.

Mel concurs with Todd's assessment of Sanders and Ward, acknowledging their readiness and potential to contribute significantly to NFL teams.

5. Conversation with Joel Klatt on Ohio State–Penn State Showdown

[55:37] Todd McShay introduces Joel Klatt, focusing the conversation on the highly anticipated game between Ohio State and Penn State.

Joel Klatt shares his excitement and insights:

Joel states:
"This game is special not only because of the teams involved but also due to the underlying storylines and the immense pressure both programs are under to win." [58:48]

Key Topics Discussed:

• Ryan Day’s Leadership at Ohio State:
  Joel praises Day's ability to maintain a high standard, stating that "every day is a reckoning" for the Buckeyes.

• Ohio State’s Offensive Line Issues:
  They analyze the recent struggles of Ohio State’s offensive line, attributing problems to inconsistent performance by new starters and overall lack of cohesiveness.

  Joel observes:
  "The offensive line isn't performing as a unified group, leading to vulnerabilities in both run and pass protection." [66:57]

• Penn State’s Quarterback Situation:
  Discussing Penn State’s dilemma with their quarterback position, Joel highlights the potential impact of injuries and the importance of having a versatile and reliable QB.

• Defensive Strategies:
  Joel critiques Ohio State’s defense, noting that despite strong pass rush statistics, the actual sack numbers lag behind due to scheme weaknesses and lack of individual performances.

  Joel remarks:
  "Their defense is creating pressure, but the production isn't matching up because of how they're schematically playing." [80:07]

• Joel’s Perspective on Key Players:
  They discuss standout players like Travis Hunter, projected to be a Heisman contender, and Jeremiah Smith, whose performance could be pivotal.

  Joel states:
  "Travis Hunter is phenomenal, and if he continues this trajectory, he could easily be among the top wide receivers in the NFL soon." [73:16]

6. Deion Sanders’ Impact on Colorado’s Success

Joel Klatt delves into Colorado’s transformation under Deion Sanders, highlighting the significant improvements in both offense and defense. The hosts discuss how Sanders’ leadership and strategic hires have elevated the program from a struggling team to a contender.

Joel highlights:
"Colorado was 1-11 two years ago with an average loss margin of 29 points. Under Sanders, they've turned it around to 6-2, with a top-tier defense and a revamped offensive line." [87:25]

7. Future Implications and Draft Considerations

The discussion shifts to how the current season's performances will influence the NFL Draft, especially concerning quarterbacks and defensive players. Joel emphasizes the importance of organizational fit and readiness over draft position.

Joel advises:
"It's not just about where a quarterback is drafted, but about how ready they are to contribute to an NFL team immediately." [42:46]

8. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Episodes

Todd wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to Joel Klatt for his insights and previewing upcoming episodes focused on key games and draft analyses. The hosts encourage listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for more in-depth football discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Todd McShay [16:07]:
  "Evaluating a quarterback isn't just about their college performance; it's about their readiness to contribute to an NFL organization."

• Mel Kiper Jr. [06:34]:
  "Miami has a strong backfield and talented receivers, but their schedule and close losses make me wonder if number 3 is too high for them."

• Joel Klatt [58:48]:
  "This game is special not only because of the teams involved but also due to the underlying storylines and the immense pressure both programs are under to win."

• Joel Klatt [66:57]:
  "The offensive line isn't performing as a unified group, leading to vulnerabilities in both run and pass protection."

• Joel Klatt [73:16]:
  "Travis Hunter is phenomenal, and if he continues this trajectory, he could easily be among the top wide receivers in the NFL soon."

• Joel Klatt [87:25]:
  "Colorado was 1-11 two years ago with an average loss margin of 29 points. Under Sanders, they've turned it around to 6-2, with a top-tier defense and a revamped offensive line."

Conclusion

This episode of The McShay Show offers a comprehensive analysis of the current college football landscape, with a special focus on playoff rankings, key team performances, quarterback evaluations, and the strategic insights from Joel Klatt on one of the season's most anticipated games. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on team dynamics, player readiness for the NFL, and the transformative impact of coaching changes, particularly highlighting Colorado's resurgence under Deion Sanders.