The McShay Show — Week 1 CFB Recap & Reactions: LSU vs. Clemson, Texas-Ohio State, and More

Date: August 31, 2025
Host: Todd McShay
Guest/Co-Host: Matt Bowen
Podcast: The Ringer – The McShay Show

Episode Overview

This lively episode kicks off a new college football season with Todd McShay and Matt Bowen breaking down the marquee Week 1 clash between LSU and Clemson. The hosts dissect game-deciding plays and shifting perceptions around draft prospects, share live reactions as the final moments unfold, and roll into raucous, honest reactions to headline matchups including Texas vs. Ohio State and Alabama vs. Florida State. They also spotlight standouts and disappointments from across the slate, offer sharp draft insight, and address viral takes circulating among fans and analysts.

LSU vs. Clemson: Game Breakdown & Quarterback Duel

(Segment runs approximately 01:54–22:00 and referenced throughout)

Quarterback & Coaching Decisions

• Late-game scenario debate: Matt opens by positing, "Who would you rather have in this situation? Late game, coaching staff and quarterback?" (01:58)
  • Feels more comfortable with Clemson's staff, but acknowledges LSU’s offensive firepower.
• Bowen’s QB Rankings: Clubnik as QB1 due to physical tools, but raves about Nussmeier:
  • “Nussmeier though my point I was about to make. This dude is so special. Managing, sensing, feeling and dictating pressure...it’s his special sauce.” (05:17)
  • “[Nussmeier]—he doesn’t have to be the fastest, he doesn’t have to have the strongest arm. He knows where the pressure is coming from. He senses it. When the pressure builds up...everything calms down.” (05:33)
• Todd McShay on LSU’s O-Line:
  • “The LSU offensive line is playing out of its mind. I’m stunned with how well they’ve played tonight.” (03:25)
• Key Play Call & Rules Controversy:
  • Both hosts bemoan a controversial incomplete pass on what they call "maybe the best throw I’ve seen in college football the entire first week." (07:17–08:24)
  • “But the ball couldn’t have been put in a more perfect...placement was perfect. And then we’re going to call that an incomplete pass?” – McShay (08:10)
• Game Management Praise/Critique:
  • Matt notes early LSU mistakes but emphasizes the halftime turnaround:
    • “First half: mistakes, early penalties, fumble on second possession, two timeouts in the first six minutes...Second half, they were just trying desperately to find someone that could do something with the ball.” (23:43, 25:03)

LSU’s Defensive Stars & Adjustments

• LSU Defensive Standouts:
  • Praises for Mansour Delane and Harold Perkins in key roles:
    • “Harold Perkins has been awesome...In that role, that roaming role—in coverage against tight ends, spying quarterbacks, rushing the quarterback...” (14:19–14:50)
    • “Wit Weeks has had some big plays...he made where Clubnick tried to take off...an unbelievably athletic, smart, great play.” – McShay (35:24)
• Halftime Adjustments:
  • “Halftime adjustment that LSU made in terms of keeping Clubnik in the pocket has been a real difference maker.” (03:25)
  • “LSU’s defense shut Clemson out in the second half...they came out and said, ‘You’re really hurting us with that run...We’re not doing that anymore. I’ve got this guy named Harold Perkins who is just going to shadow your quarterback.’” (28:28)

Run Game & WR/TE Play

• LSU’s Run Game:
  • “Kaden Durham: 17 carries for 74 yards, 4.4 yards a carry. Not great, but a competent running game tonight.” – McShay (19:13)
  • “A lot more balanced...That’s a big difference than Nussmeier just airing it out all night.” (20:10)
• Key Receiving Threats:
  • Aaron Anderson: “The dude when you need a play...Find a way to get him the ball and he’ll do something after the catch.” (20:43)
• Clemson WRs:
  • Antonio Williams’ absence sharply felt: “I thought that was absolutely missed and noticeable tonight.” – Bowen (30:44)
  • “With the exception of Woods, who I think was really good vs. the run, but just didn’t have the impact plays we were hoping to see.” (28:49)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Nuss Meyer’s going to win games late and do things that I think plagued Romo’s career.” – Bowen on late-game poise (22:45)
• “[LSU] legitimately could play for the national title.” – Bowen on season outlook (17:38)
• “I think you saw two teams tonight that are capable of making a run if they keep getting better...” – McShay (38:10)

National Reaction — Texas vs. Ohio State

(Segment approx. 39:30–66:00; see especially 39:46–54:51 for Arch Manning analysis)

The Arch Manning Discourse

• Host Reaction to Criticism:
  • Both hosts decry “I told you so” takes directed at Arch Manning, blending empathy and critical analysis:
    • “I do want to make this perfectly clear. Arch Manning did suck today. He was not good.” – Bowen (50:16)
    • “I am concerned that he is a Manning...can’t miss some of the throws he missed today...that's fair now.” – Bowen (52:26)
  • Emphasize patience and developmental curve:
    • “What we saw from Arch...is not what we’re going to see from him in week four or week five.” – Bowen (44:26)
    • “I didn’t expect [Arch] to play well in Columbus for his first start. We’ll see where he is at the end.” – McShay (49:56)

Texas Play Calling, Ohio State’s Performance

• Sarkisian’s Conservative Gameplan Criticized:
  • “Training wheels were on and it was maddening.” (40:29)
  • “Can we try something other than a quarterback sneak in that situation?” – McShay (48:37)
• Jeremiah Smith Emergence for OSU:
  • “Jeremiah Smith and Brian Hartline were the difference in this game.” (49:19)
  • “Sayin needed training wheels on and played really well with them.” – McShay on OSU's new QB (59:52)
• Takeaways for Both Programs:
  • “If these teams were to meet again in the playoff...they’re going to look very different than they do today.” – Bowen (65:11)
  • “Potential for growth in Texas is outrageous.” (65:25)

Standout/Funny Quotes

• “People suck, man.” – McShay on football discourse (39:48)
• “On the flip side, don’t make somebody’s bad day your gain.” – Bowen (56:23)

Alabama vs. Florida State – Tides Turning?

(Segment approx. 66:15–81:02)

Florida State’s Portal Upswing & New-Offense Vibe

• Tommy Castellanos raves:
  • “That son of a gun Castellanos. What?!...the quarterback I’m most scared to play in college football. After week one...that guy’s a nightmare.” – Bowen (66:15, 78:03)
• Gus Malzahn’s impact lauded:
  • “He is so creative with the run game...You’re watching, it’s a magic show if you’re a defender.” – McShay (69:24)
  • Florida State’s running game: 49 carries, 230 yards (70:08)
• Emerging playmakers: Makai Danzy and DJaylen Lucas both get the spotlight for chunk-yardage, speed, and versatility.

Alabama’s Struggles

• Offensive line and running back issues:
  • “Alabama...averaging two yards per carry. That’s not going to work.” – Bowen (73:47)
  • Wide receiver corps thinned by injury and inconsistency.
• Ty Simpson’s debut at QB:
  • “I thought he looked good, like did a great job...heated his ass off.” (75:22)
• Program Concerns:
  • “That’s the one team I watched today and I was like, oh, they’re in trouble.” – McShay (72:15)
  • “I don’t think they get out of September without two losses. They play Georgia right now...” (76:03)

Rapid Fire: Notable Performers & Quick Takes

(Segment approx. 81:02–89:52)

• Jalon Daniels (Kansas): “When he’s rolling, he’s frightening.” – McShay (82:09)
• John Mateer (Oklahoma): “24 of 31, 319. Oklahoma’s like, Ah, okay. Phew. Because they’re used to...‘Oh, we’re back.’” – Bowen (82:35)
  • Finished with nearly 400 passing yards.
• Drew Allar (Penn State): “22 of 26. Only encouraging because...wanted to make sure he was okay.” (83:41)
  • Transfer WRs Kyron Hudson and Trevor Pena: “Huge first games, man. So that’s encouraging.” (84:43)
• Michigan Freshman Bryce Underwood: “If he’s as good as advertised, you know the talents there. I’m excited to see Michigan: what is Michigan this year?” – Bowen (85:46)

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS & HOT TAKES

• Clemson’s remaining schedule: “They’re going to be favored in all other 11 games.” (33:14)
• Impact of Portal & Early Season Trends: “Defenses are always ahead of the offenses...more exaggerated now with the portal.” (66:07)
• Oregon / Dante Moore Watch: “Dante Moore...13 for 21, 213 yards, three touchdowns. Kid can throw the ball.” – McShay (88:22)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “[Nussmeier]—he senses pressure. He’s never like I talked about Jackson Dart...everything calms down when the pressure builds up.” – Bowen (05:33)
• “I just don’t get it. We’ve just gotten so crazy with what’s a catch and what’s not a catch...That’s a catch all day.” – McShay (08:14)
• “This game is not disappointing from the quarterbacks, in my opinion.” – McShay (10:48)
• “Wit Weeks has had some big plays. That play he made where Clubnick tried to take off...was an unbelievably athletic, smart, great play.” – McShay (35:24)
• “It’s hard not to believe, but I also truly believe Clemson is one of the 10 best teams in the country.” – Bowen (38:10)
• “Arch Manning did suck today. He was not good.” – Bowen (50:16)
• “What we saw from Arch...is not what we’re going to see from him in week four or five.” – Bowen (44:26)
• “Jeremiah Smith and Brian Hartline were the difference in this game.” – McShay (49:19)
• “That son of a gun Castellanos. What?!...after week one, and it’s just one week. I don’t want to play that guy. That guy’s a nightmare.” – Bowen (78:03)
• “That’s the one team I watched today and I was like, oh, they’re in trouble.” – McShay on Alabama (72:15)

Closing Takeaways

• Both LSU and Clemson proved they are Top 10-caliber teams despite the scoreline.
• Perspective and patience are needed with first-time QBs like Arch Manning and Ty Simpson; viral overreactions are called out, but critical analysis remains.
• SEC power Alabama’s blemishes feel more systemic than just transitional.
• Florida State’s offensive rebuild and Gus Malzahn’s scheme are legit storylines.
• Early in the season, defenses rule, but talent and coaching adjustments—especially for QB development—will tell the story by midseason.

Listener Engagement & What’s Next

• The McShay Show will keep hosting post-game recaps every week, bringing “group chat” energy and draft-focused analysis to fans.
• Listeners are encouraged to join live, submit questions, and follow for guest appearances and deeper prospect breakdowns in coming episodes.

For more detail, and full draft analysis, subscribe at The McShay Report.

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