The McShay Show — Week 3 LIVE: Clemson Collapses, Georgia Finds Its QB, and Texas A&M Upsets Notre Dame
Date: September 14, 2025
Host: Todd McShay (B)
Co-host: Mitch Mensch (C)
Presented by: The Ringer
Episode Overview
This live episode of The McShay Show dives into a wild Week 3 in college football, focusing primarily on three thrilling contests: Clemson's shocking loss to Georgia Tech, Georgia’s nail-biting win and emergence of their new QB, and a primetime Texas A&M upset over Notre Dame. Todd McShay and Mitch Mensch provide real-time analysis, react to game-changing moments as they unfold, and debate the ripple effects these games will have on the college football playoff race and draft landscape.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Live Watch: Texas A&M Upsets Notre Dame
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Game Context:
- A&M (ranked #16) at Notre Dame (ranked #8), both needing a big win for Playoff hopes.
- Back-and-forth offensive fireworks; key role players step up, and special teams gaffes loom large.
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Fourth Quarter Drama [16:00 – 42:30]:
- Jeremiah Love becomes the workhorse for ND (“That's what we expected to see from Jeremiah Love this season” – McShay, [20:29]).
- Crucial missed extra point by Notre Dame – followed by a Texas A&M kick return TD called back for holding ([18:43]–[19:50]).
- A&M's clutch final drive: Marcel Reed, after an inconsistent game, scrambles and makes big throws, culminating in a game-winning TD to blocking TE Nate Borker ([37:18]–[39:27]):
“It was another throw with no conviction... those two tight ends, I don’t think either of them had a catch coming into this drive.” – McShay ([37:49])
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Immediate Reactions:
- Both hosts stunned by Notre Dame’s 0-2 start despite strong play (“Big picture, these both are playoff teams in my mind” – Mensch, [44:27]).
- Analysis of A&M’s offensive explosiveness; WRs Mario Craver and Casey Concepcion combine for 290 yards ([21:44]–[22:38]).
- McShay highlights special teams and penalties as game-deciding factors ([17:49]–[19:50]).
2. Florida vs. LSU: Defensive Dominance and Missed Opportunities
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Florida dominates statistically but is doomed by penalties and DJ Lagway’s five INTs ([11:48], [52:33]).
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LSU defense gets major praise, particularly for creative safety usage and clutch turnarounds:
“Blake Baker is proving to be one of the most important coordinators in college football.” – McShay ([51:55])
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Host debate whether LSU defense is now truly championship-caliber ([55:22]); conclusion: absolutely.
3. Georgia Edges Tennessee: Gunner Stockton Emerges
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Tennessee JuCo transfer QB Joey Aguiar’s gutsy performance keeps Vols in the fight, but Georgia rallies behind new QB Gunner Stockton ([61:45]–[72:59]).
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Kirby Smart’s aggressive playcalling and faith in his young QB turn the tide ([64:25]–[66:15]):
“I think Kirby...shows that he has faith in his quarterback, his receivers, he has faith in his defense” – Mensch ([65:24])
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Georgia “declares bully ball” and leans on power run to close out the win; the switch from Carson Beck to Gunner Stockton championed as a culture fit ([74:46]–[77:30]).
“I saw why today...Gunner's our guy.” – McShay ([77:29])
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Tennessee’s WR Chris Brazell II’s breakout performance highlighted: 6 catches for 177 yards and 3 TDs ([112:55]–[114:58]).
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Georgia’s OL seen as a concern due to pass protection issues ([78:12]).
4. Clemson’s Collapse Against Georgia Tech
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Analysis of Sloppy Offense and “Heavy” Team Mood ([88:09]–[97:17]):
- Klubnik flashes talent but can’t stay consistent.
- Bryant Wesco Jr. praised as the lone bright spot at WR – 7 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD.
- Clemson’s defense fails to deliver in clutch moments, giving up a late 90-yard TD drive ([94:03]–[94:54]).
“Great defenses don’t allow six plus minute drives for a 90 yard touchdown...” – McShay ([94:21])
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Georgia Tech as “Giant Killer”:
“They’re the ultimate underdog...I really mean anyone because Haynes King is just an absolute pain in the ass” – Mensch ([98:47])
- Schedule sets up for Georgia Tech to contend for an ACC title game spot.
5. Spotlight Players & Personnel Notes [112:04–118:51]
- Spotlight Player of the Week:
- Chris Brazell II, WR, Tennessee: 6 rec, 177 yards, 3 TD (vs. Georgia).
- “He’s an absolute star...won’t shock me if this guy’s an early Day 2 pick.” — McShay ([114:58])
- Additional Standouts Called Out by Listeners and Hosts:
- Mario Craver (Texas A&M), Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame), Ryan Williams (Alabama), Ty Edwards (West Virginia), Jaren Cannock (Oklahoma TE/LB), Nelson Caesar (Houston), and more.
- Other Personnel:
- Ty Simpson (Alabama) shows growth; DJ Lagway’s struggles; Sam Levitt not up to standard yet; injuries noted for Len’nor Sellers (South Carolina QB).
6. AP Top 12 Instant Overreactions & Playoff Picture [123:16–129:12]
McShay and Mensch reshuffle their own top 12, dropping teams after losses (Notre Dame, Clemson) and vaulting risers (A&M, Tennessee, Georgia Tech):
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Top 6 (McShay’s instant reaction):
- Ohio State
- LSU
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Penn State
- Miami
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7–12: 7. Oklahoma
8. Texas A&M
9. Tennessee
10. Texas
11. Florida State
12. Georgia Tech (“Georgia Tech’s going to be 11-0 going into that Georgia game. Undefeated in the ACC.” – McShay, [128:34])
Mensch pushes for Texas A&M higher based on unbeaten record; Notre Dame and Clemson dropped out for now despite strong schedule strength.
- The crew agree parity rules this year and “it’s already a wild season” ([130:59]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the pain of covering blown games:
“I opened the show, special teams and penalties and A&M almost gave it away with the penalty...” – McShay ([37:54])
- On Georgia’s win and culture:
“Everything in college football...is just about fits, right? It’s the right fit. And Miami’s the right fit for Carson Beck... but he wasn’t part of that Georgia DNA. Gunner Stockton is.” ([76:03]–[77:16])
- Clemson’s Identity Crisis:
“They just feel heavy...like that girl you date, really pretty...but everything feels so heavy.” – McShay ([96:30])
- Georgia Tech’s coaching:
“Brent Key managed that situation at the end of the game...Cold blooded, man...55 yards, bro. This was no chippy.” – Mensch ([105:16]–[106:09])
Important Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------- |------------------| | Texas A&M–Notre Dame 4Q Live | 16:00–42:30 | | LSU–Florida Recap & Takeaways | 49:03–58:05 | | Georgia vs. Tennessee | 61:44–80:56 | | Clemson-Georgia Tech Analysis | 88:09–103:44 | | Georgia Tech Kicker/Burr’s 55-yd FG | 105:16–108:13 | | Spotlight Players/NFL Draft | 112:04–118:51 | | Top 12/Playoff Debates | 123:16–129:12 |
Segment Highlights
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Special Teams & Penalties:
- Dictated the outcome of A&M–ND and Florida–LSU.
- “Special teams, man...penalties and turnovers in these two games have never been more prevalent.” – McShay ([11:48])
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Emergence of Star Talent Under Pressure:
- Big nights from Jeremiah Love, Chris Brazell II, and Tennessee’s Joey Aguiar.
- A&M’s WR duo set the stage for their upset and instant “player of the day for a losing team” recognition ([21:44]).
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Coaching and Culture:
- Strong praise for Brent Key (GT), Kirby Smart (UGA), and Blake Baker (LSU).
- Fascinating debate on which new units are most trustworthy: Georgia's O vs LSU's D ([80:05]).
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The Chat’s Role:
- Engaged and occasionally raucous live chat shapes the show, especially in live game analysis and player spotlights.
Tone and Takeaways
McShay’s analysis is fast-moving, candid, and full of behind-the-scenes context. The show’s tone is loose, self-deprecating, yet deeply insightful as both hosts react live and share their war stories from covering games and evaluating talent. They are not shy about calling out coaching blunders, questioning playoff viability, or spotlighting underappreciated players, and they engage playfully with their community all night long.
College football’s chaos, player development, coaching legacies, and looming draft implications are inescapable themes—this episode is essential listening for fans keeping pace with the 2025 season’s shifting landscape.