The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1432

Date: October 17, 2025
Title: NFL Week 7 Preview/Picks, TNF Recap, Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart, Nick Saban, Country Superstars Bailey Zimmerman, Luke Combs, & AJ Hawk

Episode Overview

This Friday episode of The Pat McAfee Show brings together Pat and team for a high-energy, in-depth look at NFL Week 7, a lively Thursday Night Football (TNF) recap (Bengals vs. Steelers), big-picture college football insights, and exclusive interviews with UGA head coach Kirby Smart, legendary coach Nick Saban, and country music stars Luke Combs and Bailey Zimmerman. Mixing expert football analysis, signature humor, and genuine camaraderie, the crew gives listeners everything they need going into a jam-packed football weekend.

Key Segments & Insights

Thursday Night Football: Bengals vs. Steelers Recap

Timestamps: 00:00 - 21:07

• A.J. Hawk opens discussing the electric mood during TNF in Cincinnati, where he attended in person.
• Pat McAfee highlights the roller-coaster game: Steelers started hot but the Bengals – led by a resurgent Joe Flacco – stormed back.
• Quarterback Performances: Both Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco, in their 40s, threw back the clock with impressive performances.
  • "The old men brought it... that greatness is exactly what Tomlin was talking about." – Pat (02:33)
  • "Joe Flacco, watching him in the pocket... blew my mind." – AJ (02:04)
• Defensive Concerns: Steelers' defense looked lost; Flacco and Jamar Chase (career night: 16 catches/23 targets, 94 yards after catch) capitalized.
  • "Steelers got flaccoed last night... disaster class and a very, very frustrating night for Steelers fans." – Tone (03:53)
• Game Management: Discussion around T. Higgins’ smart “slide” play to bleed clock for the Bengals, showing mature team culture.
  • "If you want to win the game, you slide there." – Jamar Chase, quoted by Pat (18:28)

NFL Films, Media Leaks, and Pablo Torre

Timestamps: 22:41 – 34:40

• Pat discusses the Pablo Torre “hot mic” leak involving Bill Belichick, NFL Films, and recent controversies with NFL Films' content (e.g. Brian Branch video).
• NFL Films Statement: Pat relays their denial of involvement:
  • "NFL Films wanted to make sure... that did not come from our people, from the research that we did." (29:00)
• Media Integrity: The crew commends Pablo Torre’s journalism and courage, especially as he digs into complex investigations.

Interview: Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach

Timestamps: 34:47 – 54:48

Major Topics

• SEC Life & Big Matchups:
  • Kirby treats the matchup with Ole Miss as “just another SEC weekend,” but emphasizes playing “fast and free.”
  • "It's all about fast and free in this game. I want our guys to play loose, enjoy it and compete." – Kirby Smart (35:56)
• Lane Kiffin Banter:
  • Good-natured ribbing between coaches about fitness, hot yoga, and sideline antics.
  • "I think he's worried about my figure. I told him that's my wife's job, not his." – Kirby (36:18)
• Georgia Team Culture:
  • Emphasis on team toughness, resilient QB (“he embodies this team’s personality”), and the changing nature of coaching players in the NIL/transfer portal era.
  • "Players are transient… they have money they're not used to having... Don't change your standard, but maybe change the treatment." – Kirby (44:59)
• SEC Depth & Playoff Impact:
  • Debate over whether the league is “battle tested” or if the SEC cannibalizes itself.
  • "Poll the NFL scouts… that'll tell you where the best players and teams are." – Kirby (48:32)
• Expanding Playoff:
  • Kirby advocates for even bigger College Football Playoff fields, more cross-conference games, and preserving home-field advantage.

Notable Moments

• Banter on Lane Kiffin’s hot yoga and sideline clapping (37:04 – 37:49).
• Quick exchange on baseball/college money parallels (46:50 – 46:58).
• Pat calling Kirby “a goat in college football” (47:09), Kirby deflecting credit to Saban.

College Football Weekend Preview & Picks

Timestamps: 54:53 – 61:56

• Big games discussed: USC vs. Notre Dame, Tennessee vs. Alabama (“cigar game”), BYU vs. Utah (Holy War), Vanderbilt’s program growth, and notable odds/public betting trends.
• Tone: “Loser is done” narrative for the USC-ND matchup, playoff implications.

Super-Bowl Level Guests: Luke Combs & Bailey Zimmerman

Timestamps: 116:54 – 144:34

• Luke Combs: Talks about graduation from club gigs to stadiums (Wembley), charity work with Eric Church, loving sports, and recent induction to NC Music Hall of Fame.
  • "When I was [Bailey's] age, I was just in Nashville, hadn't signed my record deal yet..." (118:38)
• Bailey Zimmerman: Blown away by rapid career rise (from living in his mom's trailer, discovering his singing talent on social media); grateful for digital platforms and country music’s supportive community.
  • "Four years ago… living in my mom's trailer, never sang in my life, tried one day, music is awesome..." (119:31)
• Collaboration Friendship:
  • Luke mentors Bailey; both reflect on the "unordinary" life of music stardom.
  • "If you need me, I'll pick the phone up… I've been there." – Luke (120:59)
• Onstage Moments: Both describe the challenge of reading signs and interacting with fans while performing.
• NFL/Football Crossover: Luke reflects on being a passionate Panthers fan, mending fences with owner David Tepper (“they saw your clip!”), and how adversity in sports fandom mirrors country music’s realness.

Special Moments

• [122:43] Luke calls himself “no different than anyone else... I'm a fan.”
• [123:49] Confesses Carolina Panthers brass saw his critical viral clip, but positive things have happened since.
• [125:02] Praise for Panthers’ charity role in hurricane relief ($24.5M raised).

Interview: Nick Saban

Timestamps: 69:32 – 101:31

Key Topics

• Veteran QBs: On Flacco & Rodgers: "Older quarterbacks can play in the NFL, providing they have the right kind of people around them..." – Saban (70:52)
• Player Accountability: Praises Tua's recent public accountability; stresses not criticizing teammates.
  • "Everybody's got to take responsibility for what they can control..." (73:25)
• Saban Coaching Tree: On pride seeing Lane Kiffin and Kirby Smart excel with their own styles.
  • "There's more than one way to skin a cat, but both these guys fundamentally are not that far apart..." (75:00)
• Culture, NIL, and College Football Future: Discusses the crucial role of culture, player payment, and the pressures college athletes now face.
  • Memorable: "But the system of how the money flows is not the best way to do it for college athletics." (82:28)
• Defensive Trends: Value of affecting the QB over raw sack stats, 3–4 defense schemes, importance of difference-makers like Will Anderson and Jalen Carter (83:31 – 86:16).
• Mindset over Excuses: Dismisses “travel” as a valid excuse for under-performing teams.
  • "Every time you create this fragile mentality… you’re building in an excuse rather than making it an opportunity." (90:20)

Notable Exchange

• On Lane & Kirby as assistants, mischievous vs. rule-abiding personalities in Saban's staff meetings; mutual respect now in rivalry (98:04).

NFL Week 7 Picks & Gambling Insights

Timestamps: 104:19 – 111:29

• Pat, AJ, Tone, and Toxic Table run through NFL Week 7 lines, public money breakdowns, and their picks.
• Key trend: When public action gets above 60%, “fade the public” holds.
• Picks include Jags vs. Rams (London), Raiders vs. Chiefs, Eagles vs. Vikings, and more.
• Lively debates and self-deprecating humor on picking with or against the crowd.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Pat, on the vibe in Athens, Georgia:
  "Unbelievable vibes here in Athens. I love where we're set up at, too… sports happening around us… learning about the history, not just standing in stadiums getting sunburns." (102:58)

• Kirby Smart, on adapting to new generations:
  "The biggest thing is don't change your standard, but change how you treat them… not as long practice, but not changing the standard." (44:59)

• Nick Saban, on the pressure of expectations:
  "You don't want to start playing not to mess up… so much talk about getting into the playoffs, a lot about the money." (99:37)

• Luke Combs, on being critical as a fan:
  "I'm no different than anyone else, man. I'm a fan. I just didn't know there was a phone number [to complain]." (124:43)

• Bailey Zimmerman, on country music’s community:
  "I really have social media to thank… without that, I'd still be living in my mom's trailer." (119:31)

Structured Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Start | End | |---------------------------------------------|----------|----------| | TNF Bengals-Steelers Recap | 00:00 | 21:07 | | NFL Films / Pablo Torre / Media Leaks | 22:41 | 34:40 | | Kirby Smart Interview | 34:47 | 54:48 | | College & NFL Picks, Weekend Slate | 54:53 | 61:56 | | Saban, Smart, Kiffin Segment | 69:32 | 101:31 | | NFL Week 7 Picks & Gambling Insights | 104:19 | 111:29 | | Luke Combs & Bailey Zimmerman Encore | 116:54 | 144:34 |

Tone & Style

• Authentically irreverent: Jokes, casual crosstalk, friendly trash talk, and inside-the-locker-room language.
• Expert Insight: Rich schematic, cultural, and strategic breakdowns from current/former players & coaches.
• Camaraderie: Visible loyalty and warmth between hosts, guests, and recurring contributors.
• Inclusive for non-listeners: No jargon left unexplained; relatable analogies and personal stories.

For Those Who Missed the Episode

• You’ll leave this episode understanding not just the “what” of NFL Week 7 and college matchups, but also the “why” — from team culture and coaching philosophy (Kirby & Saban) to personal stories of resilience (Bailey Zimmerman), and the business/media sides of football.
• The show flows seamlessly from football x’s and o’s to pop culture, from sharp analysis to absolute nonsense. As Pat puts it, “one-of-a-kind entertainment that won’t be seen anywhere else” – and this installment delivers.

[End of Summary]