The McShay Show – Week 12 Reactions: Oklahoma On Top, Georgia's Guts, & A&M's Comeback

Date: November 16, 2025 | Host: Todd McShay | Podcast: The Ringer

Episode Overview

In this Week 12 “reaction show,” Todd McShay delivers in-depth analysis and passionate play-by-play on the weekend’s wildest college football action. McShay focuses on Oklahoma’s seismic upset of Alabama, Georgia’s gritty emergence, Texas A&M’s record-setting comeback, and rapid-fire thoughts on pivotal performances, playoff races, NFL draft stock, and notable coaching personalities. The episode is filled with McShay’s signature blend of expertise, humor, industry storytelling, and fan engagement.

Best Things We Saw Today (00:00–12:24)

• Ohio State’s Speed Factory – McShay highlights future prospects, emphasizing the program’s relentless pipeline of track-star receivers under Brian Hartline.
• Pat Narduzzi’s Self-Deprecating Bravado (05:33)

  "It’s classic Narduzzi…he’s just like, ‘Don’t worry about us, Notre Dame...we won’t get in your way. You have big plans, we’re just gonna try to compete in the ACC.’ He’s a different cat, plain and simple."

• Lane Kiffin Trolling Rumors (08:40)
  On speculation Kiffin might jump to Florida:

  "Let Lane be Lane…The more you engage, the more you try to tear him down, the more he’ll lean into it."

• Group of Five Auto-Bid Debate (10:30)
  McShay openly questions why a Group of Five team gets an automatic College Football Playoff spot, pondering a more competitive, formula-based approach:

  "We’re talking about 12 spots…Can’t we come up with a formula where you have to earn it based on strength of schedule?"

Oklahoma Shocks Alabama: Defensive Grit & Venables’ Identity (12:24–33:45)

Main Takeaways

• Oklahoma’s Culture Shift

  • Brent Venables' aggressive personality now defines the Sooners:

    "There’s never been a team this year that’s taken on its coach’s personality more than Oklahoma. Venables is an absolute certified lunatic—and I mean that in all the positive ways." (13:36)

  • Discipline and “sound defense” with creative coverage wrinkles stifled Alabama.
  • Transfer portal and staff additions, like new OC Arbuckle, have gelled.

• Defensive Stars: Kip Lewis (16:13)

  • “Spotlight Player of the Week”—Kip Lewis: 7 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFLs, game-changing 11-yard sack.

    "He’s the emotional leader...it was the sack that maybe saved Oklahoma’s season." (17:54)

• QB Contrast

  • Ty Simpson (Alabama): Most polished, coach’s son, impeccable mechanics. Still rattled by OU’s disguised pressures, threw a crucial pick-six.
  • John Matier (OU): Raw, gunslinger, aggressive, 'mechanics are horrible but the results are awesome'.

• Stat-Lines & Critical Plays

  • Matier: 15/24, 138 yds, 23 rushing. OU’s defense compensated for low QB output.
  • Simpson: 28/42, 326 yds, TD, crucial INT.
  • Two OU turnovers led to 14 points; special teams + clutch defensive and offensive series sealed it.
  • Great breakdown of Venables’ defensive philosophy:

    "He’s going to take chances, but he’s got something behind it to make you second guess…that's how he turns people over." (22:25)

• Playoff Implications

  • OU has 4 wins over top 25 opponents; finishes with winnable games in Norman.

    "If Oklahoma just plays solid the last two weeks, they’re in the College Football Playoff." (32:43)

  • Alabama now must win the Iron Bowl to keep CFP and SEC title hopes alive.

Ole Miss Survives Florida: The Kewan Lacy Show (33:45–35:03)

• Kewan Lacy’s Emergence
  • 224 yds on 31 carries, 3 TDs. Called “the best asset Ole Miss’s defense has” due to his ball control and physical run style.

  "If you’re going to ride this thing out...you gotta have a back that can take the load off." (34:22)

• Lane Kiffin’s Offensive Adaptability
  • Commitment to run game reminiscent of Monte Kiffin's defensive influence.
• Ole Miss remains in playoff contention; Lacy is key.

Texas A&M’s Historic Comeback vs. South Carolina (36:07–58:05)

• South Carolina Roars Out
  • Up 30–3 at half; Sellers impresses, Nick Harbor’s athleticism on display.
• A&M Meltdown—Then Miracle
  • Marcel Reed looks “completely overwhelmed” in 1st half (1/11, 2 INTs, 3 other near-picks).

    "An offensive unit playing that bad...then coming out in the second half like it never happened. Unconscious amnesia.” (49:12)

  • 27-point comeback, Reed finishes over 400 yds, 3 TDs.
  • Second half dominance: 371–76 yard edge, 28–0 run, never punted.
• Historical Note:
  "Largest comeback in the history of Texas A&M football."

Notre Dame, ACC, and National Picture Rapid Hits (58:05–01:19:00)

Notre Dame vs. Pitt

• CJ Carr: Flashes top-tier talent but still young; needs consistency.
• Malachi Fields: “Huge factor,” NFL stock rising (could be Top 100 pick).
• Jeremiah Love: New star running back, “might be one of the four or five most talented players in the entire draft” (01:03:38)

USC Outlasts Iowa

• USC's Toughness: New team character; came back on Iowa ("a rarity").
• Makai Lemon: Wide receiver stock soaring:

  "I talked to a scout recently—'I don't know man, he might be my WR1.'" (01:08:41)

Miami and NC State

• Miami Statement: Back on track, defense dominating, Keelan Marion breaking out.
• QB Bailey (NC State), Haynes King (GT): Stock watch.

Other Standouts

• Indiana QB Mendoza: Quietly efficient; third game with 90% completion.
• Ohio State, Georgia, Top 12 shuffle: Notable team injuries (Carnell Tate, Jeremiah Smith) highlighted.

TMS Top 12 Power Rankings (01:19:01–01:29:55)

Updated in real time with chat input and McShay’s color commentary:

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Georgia (big move up after latest win)
5. Texas Tech
6. Ole Miss
7. Oregon
8. Notre Dame
9. Oklahoma
10. Miami
11. USC
12. BYU

"You’re able to do that without getting screamed at, and I don’t know that you’re necessarily going to be that wrong." (After pushing Oklahoma up to 9, 01:25:43)

Live Listener Q&A / Closing Thoughts (01:29:56–end)

• Jeremiah Love as Heisman finalist:

  "If he doesn’t, something’s terribly wrong. I have a vote, so if that tells you anything..." (01:31:36)

• Draft Stock / Player Mechanics:
  • “Can we stop saying Mendoza?” Names other rising QBs and defenders, e.g., Gunner Stockton, David Bailey (Oregon).
• Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma – Why ND is higher:

  “Honestly? I think OU’s a little bit better. I just need to see Matier continue to progress.” (01:34:27)

• National Title Odds:
  • "If I were to give you Ohio State, Indiana, or the field? I’m taking the field. Because I think it’s going to be a wild run in the College Football Playoff."
• Fan Shoutouts / Signature Signoff
  • Celebrates regulars in the chat, sets up next guests (Bruce Feldman), and closes with the usual blend of self-deprecation and energy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Venables is an absolute certified lunatic as a head coach. And I mean that in all the positive ways.” (13:36)
• "He’s going to take chances, but he’s got something behind it...that’s how he turns people over.” (22:25)
• “I spend a gross amount of time watching tape and watching games. I’m sure there are other examples, but I can't remember a quarterback playing that bad, and then playing that good in the same game.” (49:12)
• “Kewan Lacy may have saved Ole Miss’s season today.”
• “I didn’t know [Jeremiah Love] was quite this special. Admitting it here on the show, I’m all alone.”

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–12:24: Best of the day – viral clips, coaching antics, macro TV playoff chat
• 12:24–33:45: Oklahoma-Alabama breakdown – defense, QBs, Venables’ culture
• 33:45–35:03: Ole Miss survives, Kewan Lacy’s emergence
• 36:07–58:05: Texas A&M comeback, South Carolina’s collapse
• 58:05–01:10:00: National whip-around: Notre Dame, USC, Miami, conference notes
• 01:19:01–01:29:55: TMS Top 12 Power Rankings, live on air
• 01:29:56–end: Q&A and closing arguments

Episode Tone & Style

• Informal, candid, and analytical.
• Self-aware, chatty, and often humorous.
• Deep dives on X’s and O’s, plus vibrant storytelling and “inside football” industry tidbits.
• Regular nods to long-time listeners and shout-outs to chat contributors.

Summary

This episode is a must-listen (or read!) for college football junkies and NFL draft fans—McShay blends technical football analysis with the cultural pulse of the sport, highlighting not just big wins and key players, but the personalities and storylines driving the mayhem of Week 12.

“It’s going to be a wild run in the College Football Playoff. I really do." (01:36:48)