The McShay Show – Week 4 College Football Reactions

Host: Todd McShay
Guest/Co-host: Steve Wiltfong
Date: September 21, 2025
Episode Theme:
A lively, deep-dive recap of Week 4 in college football—focusing on Miami’s upside, Indiana’s disciplined rise, a game-changing look at Texas Tech, and broader insights on key players, teams, and the shifting landscape of the sport from two seasoned NFL Draft and CFB evaluators.

Main Themes & Purpose

Todd and Steve walk through their reactions to another wild Saturday. This episode zeroes in on:

• Assessing Miami's win and defensive potential
• Indiana’s clinical, precise team play and what’s real vs. hype
• Texas Tech’s surprising transformation under backup QB Will Hammond
• Evaluating Oklahoma, Michigan, and Clemson's trajectories
• Breaking down the top NFL Draft prospects, risers, and tough evaluations
• Big-picture worries and possibilities in coaching, team culture, and adaptation
• The evolving pecking order in the Big Ten and Big 12
• Addressing key moments and major storylines from a true draft/scheme lens

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami's Ceiling & Defensive Identity

[03:03–07:53]

• Miami beats Florida: win was “impressive but not dominant” on the scoreboard—came down to “body blows and fighting in the trenches” (03:03)
• Miami balanced enough on offense; Florida could not match physicality late
• Todd singles out Miami’s defense—fast, violent, deep with talent
  “I am obsessed with this Miami defense. …Muhammad Tory, Wesley Besane, Reuben Bain, David Blay, Jacoby Thomas…Corey Heatherman is letting them play free, but with discipline, but with violence. It's exciting to watch.” (07:06)
• Florida State matchup in 2 weeks regarded as a must-watch and national measuring stick

Notable Quote:

“I can't say any...Corey Heatherman is letting them play free, but with discipline, but with violence. It's exciting to watch.”
— Todd McShay, [07:13]

2. Florida’s Struggles & Coaching Under Scrutiny

[09:31–10:45]

• Todd openly questions Billy Napier’s future: effort is present, but results aren’t; he’s an offensive coach, yet offense is stagnant
• Acknowledges the cold realities of coaching in today’s unforgiving college football environment (transfer portal, NIL, media scrutiny)
• “At some point there's going to have to be a change made, and you just wonder.” (09:31)

3. Indiana’s Rise: Precision, Pass Rush, and the Mendoza Effect

[10:45–19:39]

• Indiana’s pass rush dominates Illinois: “overwhelming,” 7 sacks, 9 TFLs (11:20)
• Both hosts marvel at Indiana’s efficient, penalty-free, NFL-style play—scheme is maximizing existing talent
• Fernando Mendoza’s almost flawless night: 21/23 passing, 3 TDs, but Todd calls him “now harder to evaluate” due to the scheme’s structure (15:31)
• Skill players Surat and Omar Cooper highlighted; system is so detail-oriented it recalls “the lab,” making player evaluation tricky for NFL purposes

Notable Quotes:

“You don't see many college teams play with the efficiency in which they do. …the minutiae, the details.”
— Todd McShay, [12:34]

“Mendoza is going to be a really tough evaluation because Signetti didn't let him go to the Manning Passing Academy; he wanted every single second he could get with him.”
— Todd McShay, [18:09]

4. Oregon, Penn State, and the National Hierarchy

[05:43–08:14]

• Oregon’s QB development praised; Will Stein gets credit for maximizing talent (Bo Nix, Dylan Gabriel, now Dante Moore)
• Real test ahead: Penn State vs. Oregon next week; Drew Allar under major scrutiny
• Oregon and Florida State seen as teams “right there” with Miami

5. Texas Tech’s New Look & Will Hammond’s Breakout

[24:30–34:30]

• Texas Tech steamrolls Utah 34-10 in Utah; back-up QB Will Hammond comes in and energizes the team: “13 for 16…came in cold…and he was dealing” (25:22)
• Hammond’s poise, arm talent, and “no cares in the world” mentality earn him Player Spotlight of the Week
• Debate: Do you stick with NFL-hopeful Baron Morton after injury/struggles, or ride the hot hand in Hammond?
• Tech’s defense is described as the “most physical and balanced” in the Big 12—McShay pushes them as maybe the conference’s team to beat

Notable Quote:

“Every once in a while, I see something in a guy and I'm like, there's something here.”
— Todd McShay, [26:58]

“I'm telling you right now, Texas Tech's the best team in the Big 12. And the Big 12 has some...a handful of good teams.”
— Todd McShay, [34:21]

6. Oklahoma-Auburn: Home Field Edge & QB Maturity

[37:52–55:47]

• Norman, Oklahoma described as a “recharged” and “tough environment”; Home Field Advantage segment launches
• Oklahoma overcomes Auburn, fueled by QB John Matier’s composure and a tenacious defense (10 sacks)
• Both hosts rave about Matier’s value; described as most trustworthy “with the ball in the fourth quarter”—Heisman front-runner (+750 per FanDuel) (47:51)

Notable Quotes:

“All that matters is that when it's on the line, he's poised, he's under control and he makes plays. Again, that last drive. It's all about that last drive for me.”
— Steve Wiltfong, [47:07]

7. Michigan’s Run Game and Defensive Wave

[64:15–69:40]

• Michigan’s line and run game crush Nebraska: “33 for 286,” “every single game [Justice Haynes] breaks one” (64:56)
• Defensive front swarms the passer with NFL-type athleticism, but some concerns remain at CB
• Michigan boasts more draftable seniors than almost any other contender

8. Evolving Big Ten and Tier Rankings

[76:00–80:22]

• Tier 1 (Big Ten): unanimously Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State—order hotly debated
• Next tier: Indiana placed ahead of Michigan by both hosts after this week, with USC and Washington in the same hunting pack

9. Draft & Player Watch: Wide Receiver Class of 2027 and Quarterback Poll

[58:55–62:18]

• Todd posits a wild, but plausible, future: Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, and Cam Coleman—all as Top-10 picks in 2027, even with loaded QB class (and Arch Manning, etc.)
• Sellers and Nussmeier lead informal NFL scout votes as Top QBs so far (“Sellers had 8 votes, Nussmeier 7, Matier/Beck 3, Allar 2, Arch 1”) (81:00)
• Both are surprised by Allar receiving first-place votes; conversation to be continued on next show

Notable Quote:

“I'm just fired up about the 2026 class, but 2027 has a chance to be like one of the greatest drafts in the history of the NFL.”
— Todd McShay, [62:18]

10. Clemson: End of an Era?

[87:12–103:39]

• Both hosts debate whether it’s time to move on from Dabo Swinney; Todd argues for patience, Steve is more critical—“What are we doing here?” (103:39)
• They dissect the lack of “complimentary football,” changing landscape (NIL, transfer portal), and if the Tigers have the infrastructure to attract a top future coach
• A nuanced, honest look at coaching realities, fan expectations, and institutional change

11. Funniest and Most Absurd Moments (Rapid Fire)

[69:42–75:41]

• The “Mike Leach Awards” segment debuts:
  • Absurd quote: Michigan interim Biff Posey:

    “I'm gonna eat some Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream with my wife and smoke a Cuban cigar and then probably go to the hospital.” [71:09]

  • UAB player stomps Tennessee kicker’s foot (“childish, but kind of funny”) [72:00]
  • Michael Irvin Miami energy
  • Bill Belichick sideline memes

12. End-of-night Housekeeping: Rankings and Sleeping Giants

[108:45–110:00+]

• Both hosts advocate Texas Tech and Indiana as deserving to join/uphold Top 12 status, ahead of Ole Miss, Alabama, Tennessee right now.
• Missouri flagged as a “sleeper” in the coming weeks.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Miami/Florida breakdown: [03:03–07:53]
• Florida's Napier struggles: [09:31–10:45]
• Indiana’s defensive front & Mendoza: [10:45–19:39]
• Oregon, Penn State, QB development: [05:43–08:14]
• Texas Tech transformation & Hammond: [24:30–34:30]
• Oklahoma homefield & Matier: [37:52–55:47]
• Michigan-Nebraska: [64:15–69:40]
• Big Ten tiers/Indiana status: [76:00–80:22]
• Draft odds, WR/quarterback of the future: [58:55–62:18], [81:00–86:10]
• Clemson postmortem: [87:12–103:39]
• Funny/absurd segment: [69:42–75:41]
• Top 12 debates, sleepers: [108:45–110:00]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I am obsessed with this Miami defense. …with violence." — Todd McShay, [07:13]
• “You don't see many college teams play with the efficiency in which they do.” — Todd McShay, [12:34]
• "Every once in a while, I see something in a guy and I'm like, there's something here." — Todd McShay, [26:58]
• “All that matters is that when it's on the line, he's poised, he's under control and he makes plays.” — Steve Wiltfong, [47:07]
• “I'm gonna eat some Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream with my wife and smoke a Cuban cigar and then probably go to the hospital.” — Biff Posey, [71:09]
• “What are we doing here?...he’s not meeting his own standard.” — Steve Wiltfong (on Dabo), [103:39]

Final Takeaways

• Miami is an emerging national title contender behind a ferocious defense.
• Indiana is now a legitimate Big Ten spoiler with elite precision on both sides of the ball.
• Texas Tech may be the best in the Big 12 thanks to newfound physicality and a QB spark.
• The Big Ten's second tier is in flux, with Indiana and Michigan jockeying, while USC and Washington lurk.
• Top NFL Draft names: huge hype around Smith, Williams, Coleman (WRs); Sellers, Nussmeier, Matier (QBs).
• Coaching Reality Check: Patience or progression required—Florida and Clemson face existential crossroads.
• College Football Influence: Fan energy, home field, and player development paths are more important than ever.

"Something's changing in college football, though." – Todd McShay, [37:08]

The shifting sands are clearer than ever in September 2025.