The McShay Show – Week 2 Reactions: Mateer Magic, Florida's Flop, and Clemson Concerns

Date: September 7, 2025
Host: Todd McShay (with Daniel Jeremiah & Bucky Brooks)
Podcast: The Ringer: The McShay Show
Episode Theme: In-depth reactions to the second week of the college football season, spotlighting Oklahoma’s thrilling win led by John Mateer, Florida’s disastrous home loss to USF, and mounting concerns about Clemson’s offense. The hosts break down key performances, discuss implications for top draft prospects, and candidly assess the state of several high-profile programs—all with a sharp NFL scouting perspective and lively banter.

Main Episode Theme

Week 2 in college football brought drama and soul-searching for some top programs. The McShay Show dives deep into Oklahoma’s John Mateer turning heads against Michigan, Florida’s shocking defeat at home, and a worrisome win for Clemson over Troy. The hosts explore standout prospects, offensive line woes, and which teams’ early stumbles have bigger warning signs for their playoff and NFL draft hopes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mateer Magic: Oklahoma’s QB Headlines an Upset Over Michigan

• John Mateer’s Performance:

  • A “wild, gladiator-like” showing with both spectacular throws and erratic moments.
  • “There’s always going to be 2, 3, 4 throws a game where it’s like, God, I just wish he would kind of drill in some footwork… everything, the norm, being like the crazy being the norm. But the great was great.” – Daniel Jeremiah (01:07)
  • First drive featured a highlight rail shot to Burks and two explosive passes, plus an athletic TD catch to TE Canik (02:30).
  • Mateer ran for 74 yards and two scores, threw for 270, and repeatedly put his body on the line: “I refuse to believe there’s a human being in college football that is more competitive and will lay it on the line more than this guy.” – Daniel Jeremiah (07:35)

• Oklahoma’s Supporting Cast and Concerns:

  • Blaylock’s continued absence led to a lackluster run game; “They realize [Michigan defense] is a damn good group.” – Daniel Jeremiah (04:46)
  • Offensive line and consistent run support are flagged as weak spots going forward.

• Comparisons and NFL Outlook:

  • Mateer is “so different from the rest” yet echoes Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield in unpredictability and competitive fire (13:28).
  • “Can you tame that horse?” – Daniel Jeremiah (15:46)
  • But don’t over-correct: “If he’s not dangerous, he’s not Mateer. They tried to rob that of Baker Mayfield in Cleveland.” – Bucky Brooks (16:23)
  • Early season context: “If we were to do a college football billboard in Manhattan right now… the three guys are Jeremiah Smith, Nussmeier, and Mateer.” – Bucky Brooks (17:32)
  • Oklahoma’s comeback win over a talented Michigan D helps cement Mateer’s star power and elevates his draft stock.

2. Florida’s Flop: Upset Loss at Home to USF

• Game Recap:

  • “Florida, brutal loss. With that schedule, you can’t ever, you can’t ever drop this game.” – Daniel Jeremiah (41:32)
  • The Gators’ offense sputtered; DJ Lagway completed 70% of throws but managed just 6.7 yards per attempt, and accounted for only 6 carries for 9 yards.
  • Sloppy execution: penalties, special teams’ meltdown (safety on a botched snap), lack of run game, and key defensive absences (e.g., Caleb Banks).

• Lagway’s Growing Pains:

  • “I didn’t see improvement as a passer. I didn’t see the timing and the touch. I saw him rifling balls at receivers underneath that should not have been rifled.” – Daniel Jeremiah (45:50)
  • Critical decision late game: “Florida gets the ball back… first and 10… Run the goddamn ball!” – Bucky Brooks (46:43)
  • Play calling and execution both responsible for the blown final drive: “If Lagway checked out of that, put it at the top of the list of ups in this game.” – Daniel Jeremiah (46:53)

• Coaching and Program Turmoil:

  • Poor game management, unsportsmanlike penalties at decisive moments.
  • Mounting “fire Napier” sentiment among fans: “Brian Haas is launching a campaign to fire Napier tonight…” – Daniel Jeremiah (50:24)
  • Looming gauntlet: Florida’s next three games are vs. LSU, at Miami, and vs. Texas. “They could be looking at an early October situation where they are 1 and 4.” – Daniel Jeremiah (53:01)

3. Clemson Concerns: Survives Troy, but Offense Looks Broken

• Despite Victory, Worries Grow:

  • Clemson came back from a halftime deficit but the win was hardly reassuring. “I am more concerned about Cade Klubnik specifically and the Clemson offense after this win against Troy than I was after the loss against LSU.” – Daniel Jeremiah (27:41)
  • Klubnik faced protection issues, lacked chemistry with targets (notably missing Antonio Williams), while rain delays contributed to the game’s disjointed feel.
  • “When you can’t protect [the QB] and the weapons aren’t where they’re supposed to be… what is a supporting cast issue now becomes your issue.” – Daniel Jeremiah (29:45)

• Offensive Line Scrutiny:

  • Clemson started the second half with an 8-of-10 run-pass ratio, telegraphing an utter lack of confidence in pass protection (32:03).
  • “You can be experienced all you want. But you gotta… have dudes up front too… the group hasn’t been a great offensive line.” – Bucky Brooks (34:02)
  • McShay assigns Bucky Brooks to break down the Clemson O-line for next episode.

• Bigger Picture & Upcoming Tests:

  • The “hangover game” excuse only goes so far; Georgia Tech looms as a legit threat if the issues persist.
  • “Their schedule is going to hide some of the warts…” – Bucky Brooks (35:51)

4. Sawyer Robertson’s Breakout for Baylor

• Stat-Stuffing Win Over SMU (48–45 2OT):

  • “For a guy that they didn’t even know last year if he was going to start… he brought them back again.” – Daniel Jeremiah (58:16)
  • Robertson: 21/26, 234 yds, 2 TDs in first half; rallied from multiple double-digit deficits.
  • “That’s two weeks in a row… He’s off to a great start.” – Bucky Brooks (61:14)
  • Comparison: First Big 12 QB since Mahomes to throw for 400+ in consecutive games (62:55).

• NFL Scout Watch — Josh Cameron:

  • Baylor WR Josh Cameron: 6’1”, 218 lbs, dynamic (4.45 speed, 21 mph tracked), big-play threat and standout return man.

5. Other Quick Hits

• Michigan’s Underwood: Young QB flashed talent but still figuring it out. Needs more involvement as a runner—coaches perhaps too protective (20:05).
• Illinois’ Hank Beatty Emerges: Eight catches, 128 yds, plus record-breaking punt return day (70:54).
• Duke’s Vincent Anthony Jr.: Defensive end posts 2.5 sacks; flashed high-motor ability (72:29).
• Illinois QB Altmeyer’s Grit: Settled after a shaky start—“kid knows how to win games” (67:26).
• Fan Q&A & Banter: Regulars and listeners chimed in on coach hot seats, QB power rankings, and possible SEC landing spots for Iowa State’s Matt Campbell.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Mateer & Oklahoma

• “The great was great… That rail shot to Burks… the throw and catch to the tight end, Canik. Awesome.”
  – Daniel Jeremiah (01:07)

• “If I’m an Oklahoma fan, I want to climb through the screen and punch you in the face for saying it wasn’t pretty…”
  – Bucky Brooks (03:27)

• “He’s built different…you take one look at the dude, how thick his lower body is, how he’s built to take a pounding.”
  – Bucky Brooks (10:11)

• “Can you tame that horse?”
  – Daniel Jeremiah (15:46)

Clemson Troubles

• “I am more concerned about Cade Klubnik specifically and the Clemson offense after this win against Troy than I was after the loss against LSU.”
  – Daniel Jeremiah (27:41)

• “When you can’t protect [the QB] and the weapons aren’t where they’re supposed to be… what is a supporting cast issue now becomes your issue.”
  – Daniel Jeremiah (29:45)

• “You can be experienced all you want. But you gotta…have dudes up front too… the group hasn’t been a great offensive line.”
  – Bucky Brooks (34:02)

Florida’s Meltdown

• “I didn’t see improvement as a passer…saw him rifling balls at receivers underneath that should not have been rifled.”
  – Daniel Jeremiah (45:50)

• “Run the goddamn ball!”
  – Bucky Brooks on Florida’s late-game management (46:43)

• “That was the two points [the safety] that essentially cost them the game.”
  – Bucky Brooks (48:38)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Mateer/Oklahoma–Michigan Breakdown: 00:49–19:56

  • Mateer’s play: 01:07–10:55
  • Oklahoma’s run game/defense/offensive line: 04:46–10:55
  • NFL projection/Kyler/Baker comps: 13:28–17:36

• Florida’s Upset Loss to USF: 39:01–55:20

  • Coaching/play-calling debate: 46:43–48:36
  • Florida’s schedule outlook and QB critique: 52:54–54:08

• Clemson Survives Troy (But Concerns Grow): 26:30–37:26

  • Klubnik struggles and offensive line woes: 27:41–36:59

• Sawyer Robertson & Baylor–SMU Classic: 56:29–64:03

  • 400+ yds in back-to-back Big 12 games: 62:46–63:16

• Under-the-radar Performances & NFL Watch: 66:57–72:48

Overall Vibe and Takeaways

• Tone: Honest, excitable, unvarnished—insider football talk at its best. The hosts blend technical breakdowns (footwork, OL play, defensive adjustments) with storytelling and heated debates, always returning to talent evaluation and NFL draft stakes.
• Utility: This recap is rich in specifics for any fan who missed the games—especially those interested in draft-eligible prospects, coaching decisions, and pressing questions facing blue-chip programs after chaotic early results.

For Next Episode

• Brooks to do a film study on Clemson’s offensive line.
• Continued tracking of “wild horse” QBs (Mateer, Robertson, etc.) and their NFL translation.
• Deeper look at programs teetering between playoff hopes and existential crisis.

End of Summary