The McShay Show (The Ringer)

Episode: Week 12 Tape Truths: Georgia’s Rise, Special RBs, and the College Football Coaching Carousel
Host: Todd McShay
Guest: Bruce Feldman
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

This episode is packed with Todd McShay’s in-depth analysis of Week 12 storylines in college football, focusing on the emergence of Georgia as a dominant force, standout running back performances across the nation, the ongoing college football coaching carousel, and a rich discussion with guest Bruce Feldman breaking down the latest coaching moves and rumors. The show blends McShay’s technical tape analysis with insider perspectives, offering listeners the “tape truths” and a behind-the-scenes look at the ever-turbulent coaching landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Georgia’s Defensive Surge and Playoff Outlook

[03:30–13:35]

• Georgia’s Transformation: Todd breaks down how Georgia has evolved into potentially the best team in the SEC, especially on defense. The offense, led by Gunner Stockton, is also impressing but the defense is the center of McShay’s attention.
• Defensive Improvements: Georgia’s front seven is deep, coached up by Glenn Schumann and Kirby Smart. Despite losing top NFL talent from previous years, a blend of young and veteran players (like KJ Bolden and CJ Allen) is coming together.
• Statistical Dominance: Over the last 13 months, Georgia has held Texas to 83 net rushing yards on 72 carries (1.1 ypc) in 12+ quarters of play, with few long TD drives allowed.
• Scheme and Playmaking: Georgia isn’t the disruptive force it was with the likes of Jordan Davis and Trayvon Walker, but is playing with more discipline and showing new flashes of playmaking along the line. Linebacker blitz packages have been especially effective.
• Quote:

  "If Georgia's defense continues to ascend, I think you can make an argument that the Bulldogs could wind up having the best team in the SEC when we enter into the College Football Playoff." – Todd McShay [04:31]

2. Special Running Back Performances

[13:38–29:45]

• RB Draft Context: 2024 brought a loaded draft class at running back, sparking concerns about a talent dip in 2025. McShay says, not so fast—the talent is still on display.
• Featured Backs:
  • Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame): Emerging as a potential Bijan-level superstar with elite size, feet, explosive acceleration, improved pass protection, and receiving ability.

    “I’m starting to put him in like, the Bijan level... He’s corrected me.” – Todd McShay [16:13]

    • 23 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD vs. Pitt; 1,008 yards and 13 TDs in last 8 games.
  • Ahmad Hardy (Missouri): Transfer from ULM, now the country’s most productive back (1,346 yards, 15 TDs), just had a 25-carry, 300-yard, 3-TD game vs. Mississippi State.

    “Best individual performance I’ve seen from a running back all year long was Ahmad Hardy for Missouri.” – Todd McShay [20:28]

  • Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss): Has become the key for Ole Miss’s playoff-contending offense, delivered 33 touches, 239 yards, 3 TDs in a tight win over Florida.
  • Katron Allen (Penn State): Highlighted for a 25-carry, 181-yard, 2-TD day, showing the critical role RBs play late in the season.
• RB Importance: “It’s that time of year, folks. Running backs play a critical part.” [25:40]

3. Ty Simpson and Alabama’s Offense—Not What It Seems

[29:45–44:30]

• Narrative Correction: Simpson has struggled with turnovers, but McShay cautions against scapegoating him, emphasizing Alabama’s lack of run game (123rd in FBS; 108 yards per game) and pass protection issues as the core problems.
• Venables’ Defensive Masterclass:
  • Oklahoma’s defensive scheme totally confused Alabama—“Venables has to be almost in tears watching his defense go out and do exactly what he asked of them every single play.” [30:12]
  • Detailed breakdown of the pick-6 engineered by Venables via disguise and bracket coverage.
• Simpson’s Strengths and Areas to Improve:
  • Ball security is an issue (five fumbles in last five games), but he is carrying the offense as a first-year SEC starter.
  • “Ty ain’t one of the problems. Let’s start with the pass protection and the run game if we’re going to start putting a lot of the blame here.” [43:46]
  • 28/42, 326 yards, 1 TD vs. Oklahoma—a strong statistical game despite the loss.

4. USC’s Makai Lemon—A Star Lost in the Shuffle

[44:30–54:32]

• Emerging Star: In the last two weeks, 21 catches for 314 yards and 2 TDs—highlights get little media attention due to his school and conference.
• NFL Traits: Elite route running, body control, contested catches, and reliability—demonstrated in tape with difficult grabs, sideline awareness, and focus in traffic.

  “I’m starting to see in Makai Lemon what I saw in Ladd McConkey, Emeka Egbuka—those guys who came in and immediately made huge impacts in the NFL because it translates.” [49:53]

• Draft Stock: Should be considered among top WR prospects—on par with Carnell Tate and Jordan Tyson.

5. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq—A Tight End’s Breakout and a Message Sent

[54:34–57:04]

• Sadiq’s Usage: Season-high 8 catches for 96 yards and a TD in a statement win over Minnesota. McShay takes partial credit for fueling his increased target share through previous public critique, which was apparently noticed inside the program.

  “Maybe it helped to light a fire because people inside that building got pissed off... but maybe it helped to light a fire because all of a sudden that target share went to where I thought it should be for this kind of talent.” [55:10]

• NFL Potential: Sadiq is a first-round talent—a huge key for Oregon heading into the playoff.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Georgia’s defensive mastery:
  "Georgia might be the team you want to face least of all the teams in the SEC." – Todd McShay [12:16]

• On the running back resurgence:
  "If he doesn’t get to New York, what the hell are we doing? And I have a Heisman vote, so I’ll do my part." – Todd McShay, about Jeremiah Love [17:41]

• On Ty Simpson’s criticism:
  “A, you don’t know what you’re talking about, and B, I want you to take a step back and ask, what would Alabama be with the quarterback that wasn’t playing at this level?” – Todd McShay [32:51]

• On Makai Lemon’s overlooked stardom:
  "If USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was playing at Ohio State or in the SEC, he’d be getting the full treatment right now." – Todd McShay [44:30]

College Football Coaching Carousel (with Bruce Feldman)

[50:05–81:31]

State of the Carousel—Surging Openings

• Unusual Year: Major programs are open or rumored to be opening—LSU, Florida, Penn State, Arkansas, Auburn, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Stanford, and others.

Virginia Tech Focus

• Early Domino: VT expected to fill first, with James Franklin (currently at Penn State) high on their list; alternatives include Bob Chesney (James Madison) and John Sumrall (Tulane) [50:05–51:21].

  “Virginia Tech… could be the first domino to fall.” – Bruce Feldman [51:21]

LSU, Florida & Lane Kiffin

• LSU Dysfunction: Bruce paints LSU as highly dysfunctional—governor’s involvement, messy lawsuit with Brian Kelly, new AD. Lane Kiffin, previously a top target, seems more linked to Florida than LSU now [59:48–66:15].

  “It’s a super dysfunctional [job]. There’s not a lot of alignment there. The governor gets involved.” – Bruce Feldman [59:48]

• Lane Kiffin Dynamics:
  • "He loves being the bell of the ball of the coaching carousel." – Bruce Feldman [63:18]
  • There’s real happiness for Lane at Ole Miss ("he’s never been happier"), so moving is not a lock.
  • Will Florida wait for him? Probably, if they think there’s a chance.

Brian Kelly’s Next Move

• Has His Star Fallen? After a poor LSU tenure, his stock is down; no strong fits except perhaps Michigan State if it opens. "I don’t see Brian Kelly wanting one of those jobs.” – Bruce Feldman [55:59]

Penn State’s Uncertain Search

• Matt Rule off table, Brian Hartline a risky first-time HC option. Pat Fitzgerald and Brian Daboll are in the rumor mill.

  “Being a first-time head coach at a huge job is something that… I would probably be a little reluctant to do.” – Bruce Feldman [75:49]

Other Notable Hiring Notes

• Auburn: Could move quickly post–Iron Bowl. John Sumrall (Tulane) a strong candidate.
• UCLA: Complicated by administrative buyout and lack of excitement around the AD. Tommy Rees (Browns OC) and Zach Robinson (Falcons OC, Oklahoma State alum) are mentioned for college jobs.

  “The UCLA job is a tough one… you’re going to want you to be PT Barnum and raise funds, which a lot of head coaches don’t do.” – Bruce Feldman [80:56]

Coaching Carousel — Key Quotes

• On taking a break after a long tenure:
  "Some people are like, yeah, probably wouldn’t be a bad thing for James [Franklin] to sit out a year." – Bruce Feldman [51:41]

• On fit for Brian Kelly:
  "It’s a different job as a college football coach than it was pre-portal, pre-NIL." – Bruce Feldman [54:47]

• On Florida’s urgency:
  “If I’m Florida, I’m willing to wait as long as it takes… Lane would be the guy that I have to get.” – Todd McShay [63:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Georgia’s Defensive Ascendance & Tape Truth #1: [03:30–13:35]
• Special Running Backs (Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love, Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, Ole Miss’s Kewan Lacy, Penn State’s Katron Allen): [13:38–29:45]
• Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Venables’ Defensive Gameplan: [29:45–44:30]
• USC's Makai Lemon as an NFL-caliber talent: [44:30–54:32]
• Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq and TE utilization: [54:34–57:04]
• Coaching Carousel with Bruce Feldman: [50:05–81:31]
  • Virginia Tech update: [50:05–51:21]
  • Lane Kiffin/LSU/Florida: [59:48–66:15]
  • LSU job dysfunction and search: [66:15–69:51]
  • Penn State search and first-time HC debate: [70:23–75:49]
  • Coaching NFL-to-college rumors, UCLA: [77:52–81:05]

Tone & Style

• Lively, conversational, and analytical—McShay delivers passionate, granular breakdowns (“tape truths”), while Feldman offers wry, deeply-sourced takes on the coaching carousel.
• The discussion features a blend of technical X’s and O’s (especially on Georgia and Alabama) with big-picture narrative and personality-driven storytelling about coaches and prospects.

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for fans craving both X’s and O’s insights and the drama of the college football coaching carousel. From Georgia’s formidable rise, breakout RB performances across the country, and the Ty Simpson discourse, to Feldman’s unmatched scoop on the upcoming coaching hires, it’s a comprehensive and dynamic look at the sport’s most pivotal week 12 stories.