The McShay Show – Week 13 Reactions: Dante's Dilemma, Mateer's Chaos, and Lane Kiffin's Future
Date: November 23, 2025
Host: Todd McShay (A), with cohost Mitch and contributors
Podcast: The McShay Show, The Ringer
Overview
This jam-packed Saturday reaction episode from The McShay Show dives into college football's Week 13 drama and storyline pivots. Analyst Todd McShay and team trade takes on quarterback injury heroics, high school football magic, Oregon-USC’s top-bill clash, Oklahoma’s “beautiful chaos,” rising NFL draft prospects, and, of course, the latest juicy rumors around Lane Kiffin and the upcoming Coaching Carousel. The episode is rich with insight, banter, and McShay’s signature passion for football at every level.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Quarterback Grit & Comebacks
Topic: Dante Moore’s resilience, John Mateer’s chaos, and miraculous injury returns
- McShay and team open with awe for players battling through injury.
- Dr. Shin (Oklahoma’s team doc) is praised for Moore’s rapid return from a broken thumb, compared to Curt Schilling’s bloody sock moment ([02:39]).
- Mateer’s thumb drama (“I didn’t think there was any chance…What was it, like 20 days later, he’s back from breaking his thumb on his throwing hand” – McShay, [02:50]).
- Gritty runbacks inspire the team: “Goes to show you what it takes to win at that level; you need a great medical staff behind you.” (Mitch, [03:31])
Notable Quote
- “If you want to see respect for a wide receiver, go study this tape. Go study the level of respect that Dan Lanning and that Oregon coaching staff has for a wide receiver. You’ll see it against Makai Lemon.” – Todd, [18:40]
2. High School & Multi-Sport Heroes
Topic: Magic of grassroots football & the value of multi-sport athletes
- McShay details attending Cohasset (MA) playoff game, the thrill of small-town football, and stories of kids breaking school records (shoutout to Gus Green, 27 TDs – [07:39]).
- Mitch relays Minnesota state champ Edina’s story: top hockey draft pick Mason West delayed his pro career to play high school QB in his senior year, highlighting the importance of playing multiple sports ([08:14]).
- Argument for not over-specializing: “It’s just, have fun, man. When you’re young, go out there and play what you want to play.” – Mitch, [09:53]
3. College Football Week 13 Reaction
A. Oregon vs. USC – Tactical Chess Match
- Oregon’s D: "No way Oregon was going to let Makai Lemon beat them…He was bracketed from beginning" ([17:12])
- USC’s Offense: Jacoby Lane steps up, but missed run game and depth at receiver due to injuries “killed them” ([18:31]).
- Oregon’s Offensive Adjustments: Whittington's emergence at RB and Sadiq stepping into a larger role at TE after WR injuries. “He has been a massive difference, especially for an offense that has been without its number one receiver…” – Todd, [24:31]
- QB analysis: Dante Moore shows remarkable poise under pressure. Despite a bad INT, he’s “so unflappable…Their poise is impressive for guys who have not started a lot of big games.” – Mitch, [27:54]
Notable Quote
- “He’s going to step on an NFL field and he’s going to be productive right away and he might have a monster rookie year…if you’re a playoff team and you need immediate production…that’s what I’m seeing on tape.” – Todd on Makai Lemon, [19:08]
B. Oklahoma – Chaos as Strength
- Venables’ wild sideline energy and defensive chaos get love; “I love chaos…If your coach is leading the charge, screaming…that’s probably going to trickle down to your players and I’m here for all of it.” – Todd, [45:40]
- Mateer’s “magic” and fight through injury keeps OU dangerous and unpredictable; defense finding turnovers at the right times.
C. BYU’s LJ Martin: NFL Bound?
- “NFL scouts are running through the building…This LJ Martin guy is a dude.”
- Monster stat line: 32 carries, 222 yards, 2 TD, plus 44 receiving yards ([43:13]).
- McShay predicts top-5 RB in class: “He’s going to make an NFL team better…will be everyone’s darling post-draft process.” – Todd, [44:02]
D. Heisman Watch & Stat Streaks
- Jeremiah Love for Heisman: 8 carries, 171 yards, 3 TDs vs. Syracuse ([56:54]).
- Fascinating stat: “Every year that has ended in five since 1945, a running back has won the Heisman.” ([58:48])
E. Texas, A&M, Vanderbilt, Utah & Playoff Scenarios
- Texas’ rollercoaster defense and QB Arch Manning’s 389-yard, 4-TD day. Line: “Texas is honestly just as good as A&M. Fanduel is telling us they basically are.” ([64:55])
- Kansas State vs. Utah was a wild one (over 1,100 yards). Shoeless Joe Jackson: 10 carries, 236 yards, 2 TD at half ([66:04]).
Playoff Picture: TMS Top 12 & Committee Gripes
McShay’s framework for top teams:
- OSU, Indiana, A&M, Georgia, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Alabama = Top 10
- Stump candidates: BYU, Utah, Miami, Vanderbilt, Texas, Tennessee
- McShay demands the committee “get real this week,” drop faulty Big 12/ACC candidates, and give the best teams their due ([74:06]).
- TMS Top 12 “Clump”: Miami, Vanderbilt, Texas, Tennessee should fight for final spots; Utah schools “need to go away” ([81:01]).
Notable Quote
- “All in mind when we have the discussion with the TMS top 12. I just want there to be a clump…And I want the Utah schools out of here.” – Todd, [81:01]
4. Lane Kiffin’s Future & the Coaching Carousel
Rumor Roundup
- Mensch: “It kind of dampens all the love and momentum Kiffin’s built at Ole Miss…You have a team with a chance to make a run and we’re waiting whether the guy coaching will be there next year. That just sucks.” ([88:19])
- Todd’s inside read: Early in the week, thought Lane would stay at Ole Miss, but “I no longer think that’s the case. I think he will be the next head coach at LSU. I do want to say this…I don’t think Lane has actually made a final decision.” ([89:29])
- Emphasis that family and players matter most to Kiffin: “He wants so desperately for this time to be about the players…He’s giving them everything back now.” ([93:32])
- Process is complex, personal, and not yet finalized.
Notable Quote
- “He cares about the things that matter. He wants to make this special time in these young men’s lives the most special thing it can be…But I truly believe that he is not going to allow a final decision to be made until he’s given these players everything.” – Todd, [96:09]
Memorable Moments & Humorous Asides
- Reddit beef between USC/Oregon fans analyzed, ("People change. Oh man, I just love it" – Todd, [12:56])
- Texas A&M police report: “Intoxicated subject found staring at a wall, released to sober girlfriend, ejected.” [14:16]
- What makes McShay “tingle” as a scout: “When I see someone break away like [Satania], there’s like tingles that run through my body…Let’s go find out more.” ([51:01])
Significant Timestamps
- 00:00: Opening, banter, Dr. Shin/Moore’s thumb saga
- 08:14: Multi-sport athlete story, Edina Hornets
- 17:12: Oregon-USC tactical breakdown begins
- 22:21: Oregon injury recap, Dante Moore efficiency
- 27:30: Dante Moore & Ty Simpson "poise" discussion
- 32:26: QB class depth, Moore’s NFL decision talk
- 36:23: Oregon’s defensive playmakers praised
- 45:40: Oklahoma chaos, Venables' crazy but inspiring style
- 56:54: Jeremiah Love for Heisman, historic "year ends in 5" stat
- 64:55: Texas, A&M, Vanderbilt playoff debates
- 81:01: TMS Top 12 clump concept & Committee criticism
- 88:19: Lane Kiffin rumor mill, impact on Ole Miss
- 90:52: McShay’s personal reflections on health, family, and football
Closing Reflections
A heartfelt conclusion as McShay shares his mother’s health scare, emphasizing football’s power to bring community and perspective to life (“When you go through stuff like this…to not take a step back and realize how important the people you love are…” – Todd, [102:40]). Mensch echoes gratitude for the team and “family” feeling the show brings.
Summary: Why Listen?
- For essential reactions and scouting notes for draft fans.
- Behind-the-curtain insight on college football’s wildest week, the playoff race, and coaching moves.
- Personal, high-energy, authentic conversations about what football means at every level.
Quotable McShay (on Lane Kiffin):
“He wants so desperately for this time to be about the players…He knows what he’s doing…I truly believe he is not going to allow a final decision to be made until he has given these players everything that he has.” ([96:09])
On the game’s chaos:
“I love chaos…I want it to be a Dan Campbell, I want it to be a Venables. I want it to be guys that are just crazy enough where you think it's chaotic and it is at times, but there's a beauty and a science behind the chaos." ([45:40])
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