The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 #1397 Summary
Date: August 29, 2025
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio (Live on-site broadcast)
Hosts: Pat McAfee, AJ Hawk, The Toxic Table (Ty Schmidt & Boston Connor), Tone Digs
Special Guests: Matt Rhule (Nebraska HC), Will Howard (Pittsburgh Steelers QB/former OSU QB), Ryan Day (Ohio State HC), Nick Saban (ESPN / ex-Alabama HC)
Episode Overview
This electric, football-centric episode broadcasts live from Ohio Stadium to kick off College Football Week 1—signaling the start of what Pat dubs “the greatest college football season of all time.” The show weaves together the biggest college and NFL storylines: a historic trade of superstar Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers, instant reactions, and in-depth conversations with coaches and players on the eve of high-stakes opening games. The atmosphere is festive, high-energy, and packed with both laughs and insights.
Key Segments & Highlights
1. Atmosphere and Show Open (00:01 – 01:54)
- Pat McAfee sets the stage live from Ohio Stadium alongside AJ Hawk, ex-Buckeye legend.
- Highlights the significance of college football returning: “Football—it is absolutely magical.” (01:11, Pat)
- AJ Hawk introduced (“national champion, Super Bowl champion, Ryder Cup winner, proud Buckeye, former President of Ohio”); the camaraderie, jokes, and casual vibe are set immediately.
2. College Football Week 1 Rapid Reactions (01:55 – 04:42)
USF Stuns Boise State
- Tone Digs recaps South Florida’s (USF) huge upset vs. #25 Boise State: “USF with the big upset to start this season in Week 1 over Boise State, who was favored to make the playoff.” (03:13, Tone)
Nebraska’s Late-Night Thriller
- The team breaks down Nebraska’s clutch win over Cincinnati, highlighting a crucial interception by Malcolm Hartzog that secured the victory.
- Pat: “That is certainly a game [Nebraska] ends up losing… going up ten in the fourth quarter, then Cincinnati starts creeping back… Instead, big time pick to end it. It’s beautiful. Love football.” (04:30, Pat)
- Nebraska HC Matt Rhule is announced as an upcoming guest.
3. NFL Bombshell: Micah Parsons Traded to Packers (04:42 – 16:39)
Trade Details:
- Micah Parsons traded from Dallas to Green Bay for Kenny Clark + two first-round picks.
- Parsons signs a historic contract: $47M/year, $34M guaranteed each year—highest ever for a non-QB.
- David Mulagetta credited as the power agent behind shattering all records.
Fan & Insider Takeaways:
- Ty Schmidt (lifelong Packers fan) ecstatic: “It was just a fantastic night. Had maybe one of the best nights sleep I’ve had in a long time… It was nice being on the side of the Packers actually got this guy.” (08:22, Ty)
- AJ Hawk sees the trade as a game-changer: “Can you imagine the first time he runs out of that tunnel… I think Micah is going to fit in beautifully.” (07:47, AJ Hawk)
- Sportsbooks immediately shift Super Bowl odds in Green Bay’s favor.
- Pat and the crew poke fun at Jerry Jones’ emotional decision-making and marketing flair, positing that he sold a franchise legend out of spite or ego.
- Packers now “Super Bowl or bust,” while Dallas starts planning for a reset/rebuild (“stay tuned,” per Jerry Jones).
- Discussion includes Michael Irvin (on Get Up!) saying he partly blames himself for not stopping the trade and confirms Jerry Jones was personally hurt by Parsons’ departure.
- Tone Digs: “This is the biggest jump documented for a defensive player getting traded… and now you have Micah Parsons moving these odds insanely.” (14:15, Tone)
4. Micah Parsons’ Impact Discussion (15:25 – 16:39)
- AJ Hawk compares Micah’s impact to Darrelle Revis (“Revis Island”) and Clay Matthews—an elite edge rusher that alters an entire defense.
- AJ Hawk: “Most people are not born with the capability to move like Micah Parsons can move. When you couple that with work ethic, this is what you get—a guy that can wreck the game every single time he’s on the field.” (15:36, AJ Hawk)
5. Coach Matt Rhule on Nebraska's Win & Program Culture (19:16 – 33:21)
Post-Game Vibes & Early Takeaways
- Rhule joins fresh off the overnight return from Arrowhead Stadium, recounts the thrilling finish and star-studded crowd (including Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Taylor Swift).
- On the win: “To pick the ball off to win the game was pretty special.” (19:33, Rhule)
- Praises best players for stepping up—tailback Emma Johnson’s 100+ yard game, Isaiah Hunter’s clutch TD.
Culture & Approach
- Rhule details leadership and accountability among captains: “You can’t fall start on the one… those are the plays that in the past have sent us into a free fall.”
- Emphasizes toughness, “iron sharpens iron,” and the intentional return to old-school accountability and hard-nosed football. Motivational influences named (Inky Johnson, David Goggins, Jocko Willink).
- “I want my kids to see things as a challenge for them to overcome.” (27:01, Rhule)
Defensive Identity
- Addresses defensive concerns following key departures, focusing on growth areas—especially run defense.
- “We’ve got a tackle better. We can’t give up 200 yards rushing… All this football right now is fun, but when it gets to 30 degrees, you better be able to stop the run.” (29:46, Rhule)
Managing Expectations
- On program buzz around third-year jumps: “You have to expect good things to happen… the last two years they were like, ‘Oh, what if I make a mistake?’ We don’t live in ‘what if’ anymore. We’re trying to live in ‘what is’.” (31:49, Rhule)
- On team culture: “They’re not entitled, they’re not soft… that’s what I love about them.” (32:07, Rhule)
6. Will Howard: Reflections on OSU’s Run, Leadership & Life with Aaron Rodgers (36:13 – 54:47)
- Will Howard, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, returns to Columbus and shares reflections on last season’s title run, adversity, and leading through tough times.
- “All those things that we did go through really did set us up for that run… after that Rose Bowl, we all felt like nobody’s stopping us now.” (37:53, Howard)
- On the infamous players-only meeting amid Ryan Day criticism: “Guys said their piece… it got real, but everyone was honest. At the end, we all came together hand in hand in prayer. That was defining for the team.” (41:34, Howard)
- Describes learning from Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh: “I think the biggest thing about Aaron is… nobody talks about what he’s capable of up here [his mind]… just watching his process is crazy.” (45:49, Howard)
- Howard gushes over WR Jeremiah Smith (“he could be one of the best to ever do it”) and supports new OSU QB Julian.
- Howard also addresses mentoring and advice given to Julian: “There’s not a lot of people that understand what we’re going through as being the Ohio State quarterback… just treat it like it’s another game.” (50:56, Howard)
7. Ryan Day: On Ohio State’s Pressures, Culture, & Texas Showdown (59:19 – 75:12)
- Ryan Day finally joins post-title, quelling rumors that he “hates the show.”
- Addresses pressure of coaching at OSU: “This job is for tough people who can handle it. If you’re going to let it crumble you… you’re not going to make it.” (61:31, Day)
- On turning adversity into a title run: “When we got done with that game, there’s no reason we should have lost… Are you going to focus on results or identifying what has to get fixed?” (62:57, Day)
- On atmosphere vs. Tennessee: “A lot of people came up to me and said that’s one of their favorite games… and it just kickstarted us.” (65:54, Day)
- Looks ahead to facing #1 Texas in Week 1: “For our fans to get back together again early in the season for a game like this is going to be tremendous… a reference point as they move throughout the season.” (71:05, Day)
- On the transfer portal: “You have to recruit really well and then retain the guys that you’re developing… and hand select guys [from the portal] who fit our culture.” (68:25, Day)
- Multiple hosts celebrate Day's resilience and affirm their respect.
8. Nick Saban: CFB’s New Era, Quarterbacks, & Legacy (84:03 – 107:38)
- Coach Saban appears as regular Friday guest, sharp and candid as ever.
- On top-ranked nonconference clashes: “I wish we had them every week.” (85:03, Saban)
- On transfer QBs: “It’s all about the guy. If he’s got maturity and leadership, that’s a big thing.” (86:07, Saban)
- Dispels rumors of coaching return and heading a CFB government commission, jokes about wife Ms. Terry seeing online rumors.
- Called for balanced NIL and transfer guidelines: “I’d be part of a commission if it was real and could enforce rules and guidelines that would help the game and the players.” (88:03, Saban)
- On adversity and success: “This is not normal. Players have to be aware they can’t rest on their laurels… you become the mountain.” (97:50, Saban)
- Offers technical advice for young QBs: “Play one play at a time… eliminate the bad plays.” (89:43, Saban)
- Pays heartfelt tribute to Lee Corso ahead of Corso’s final GameDay: “He brought entertainment… for the fans, it was more enjoyable. He has a great personality.” (103:41, Saban)
- Saban rounds out with classic dry humor and humility, even amid Emmy wins as a new ESPN analyst.
9. Other NFL/College Headlines (80:04 – 83:14)
- Jabrill Peppers surprisingly cut by Patriots—the “last captain” of the prior regime.
- Raiders limit themselves to three team captains: offense, defense, and special teams.
- Discussion of new “NFL Nike Rivalries” jerseys.
- Brief acknowledgment of NFL injuries, shifting depth charts, and personnel moves as football returns.
10. Show Closes & Vibe Wrap-Up (Throughout + 116:03 – End)
- Multiple jokes about band horns, on-field rehearsals, and the “bottom of the biddle” (the rehearsal area at the stadium).
- Shouts to ESPN’s technical crew for their work broadcasting with new high-quality cameras and sound.
- Final words of gratitude: Pat thanks the crew, the guests, and the fans—“Be a friend, tell a friend something nice… Team on me, team on three…”
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “This is going to be remembered as the greatest [college football season] of all time.” (00:09, Pat)
- “It was just a fantastic night. Had maybe one of the best nights sleep I’ve had in a long time.” (08:22, Ty Schmidt re: Micah Parsons to Packers)
- “You can’t fall start on the one… those are the plays that in the past have sent us into a free fall.” (25:50, Matt Rhule)
- “If you’re willing to stick together, tough times aren’t going to last but tough people do.” (62:26, Ryan Day)
- “You become the mountain. Ohio State won the national championship. Everybody wants to beat them even worse now than ever before.” (97:50, Nick Saban)
- “He brought entertainment to this business, which is what you do, and we all have an opportunity to do. For the fans, it made it better.” (103:41, Saban, on Lee Corso)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:01 – 01:54 — Opening, Setting the Scene at Ohio Stadium
- 01:55 – 04:42 — Rapid CFB Results: USF over Boise, Nebraska wins at Arrowhead
- 04:42 – 16:39 — Micah Parsons Trade Deep Dive, Reactions, and Implications
- 19:16 – 33:21 — Matt Rhule Full Interview: Culture, Leadership, Victory
- 36:13 – 54:47 — Will Howard on OSU Legacy, Rodgers, Mentoring
- 59:19 – 75:12 — Ryan Day Talks Pressures, Title Run, Facing Texas
- 84:03 – 107:38 — Coach Saban’s Wisdom: CFB Future, Quarterbacks, Legacy
- 80:04 – 83:14 — Other NFL / College Football News
- 116:03 – End — Show Close, Gratitude, Technical Shoutouts, Final Words
Tone and Style
- Relaxed, lively, and irreverent; heavy on behind-the-scenes banter.
- Insider insights, emotional candidness, and genuine optimism about the sport.
- Regular use of first names, nicknames, and light ribbing sets a conversational, inclusive feel.
- Blend of deep football analysis, fan perspective, and memorable humor.
- A show aimed as much at die-hard fans as at casual “ball” lovers; accessible and engaging.
Conclusion
This episode is a quintessential Pat McAfee Show mix: wild headlines (the Parsons trade), major CFB news and interviews, and a cast of coaches and current players who cut through coaching clichés with authentic, quotable candor. Whether you tune in for X’s and O’s, locker room leadership, or just to soak up the passion and chaos, McAfee and crew deliver peak football talk—and set the tone for a season brimming with storylines and surprises.