The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 #1455 - Summary

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee, with AJ Hawk, The Toxic Table, Tone Digs, Darius Butler, AQ Shipley, and guests
Theme: A blend of NFL and college football analysis, interviews with coaching movers (James Franklin), emerging player personalities, and signature fun.

Overview

This episode encapsulates the unique blend of high-level football analysis, locker-room camaraderie, and comedic irreverence that defines The Pat McAfee Show. Focusing on pivotal NFL Week 11 takeaways, coaching news (James Franklin's move to Virginia Tech), upcoming college football playoff scenarios, the dynamics of top offensive lines, and in-depth interviews with standout players and coaches, the show delivers both insight and entertainment. Notable recurring segments like “Watt Wednesday”, “In the Trenches” with AQ Shipley, “Everything DB” with Darius Butler, and robust roundtable discussions frame the conversation.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Show Kickoff and Vibes [00:00–03:50]

• Panel banter: Hair/looks jokes fly, with Pat and The Toxic Table ribbing each other and celebrating the show's informal, family feel.
• Opening football thoughts: Pat launches into the magical nature of football and lays out the day’s guest list.
• Early guest: Darius Butler joins, with shout-outs for his ESPN content and tease for Oregon’s upcoming matchup.

2. Coaching Carousel: James Franklin to Virginia Tech [32:02–48:41]

James Franklin Exclusive Interview

• Background: Former Penn State head coach, recently hired by Virginia Tech.
• Press Conference Recap:
  • "There was a lot of excitement, enthusiasm...the Corps of Cadets going crazy." (Franklin, 32:16)
• Transition Reflections:
  • Franklin highlights his unique SEC and Big Ten experience, gratitude for the Penn State years, and philosophy for reviving programs.
  • "Being able to use all those lessons and experiences and now bring it to the ACC... Pour them into my time here at Virginia Tech." (33:23)
• Immediate Priorities:
  • Balancing new staff selection, respecting current staff, hosting official visits ("We’re going to have an official visit this weekend, next weekend...a lot of these schools are not going to have that." [35:12]), and evaluating the roster.
• Recruiting Philosophy:
  • Strong portal focus in Year 1, long-term aim for high school talent foundation with portal supplementation. “We’d like a healthy balance.” (41:29)
• Cultural Reset:
  • Franklin notes Tech’s existing investments and alignment with his vision accelerated his hiring.
• Tone and Chemistry:
  • Heavy jokes about Pat’s West Virginia bias.
  • AQ Shipley, a PSU alum, publicly thanks Franklin for bringing Penn State out of a “dark age.”
• Enter Sandman & Game Day Rituals:
  • Franklin admits he’s more Jay-Z than Metallica, but thrilled to embrace the tradition:
    “All I really care about is what it does to the fans. That place is rocking. I’ve been on the other side—it’s not as fun.” (37:18)

3. NFL Week 11 Deep Dives & Debates

In the Trenches: Top Offensive Lines w/ AQ Shipley [154:43–177:44]

• AQ reviews the five best O-line performances of Week 11:
  1. Miami Dolphins – Dominant, creative run designs (“Aaron Brewer, best center in football” [175:31]).
  2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Powerful, refocused blocking scheme.
  3. LA Rams – Shift to 13 personnel lauded for versatility.
  4. San Francisco 49ers – Masterful scheming; “Trent Williams leaves the three-tech unblocked…widening the hole” [160:09].
  5. Baltimore Ravens – Use of double whams and updated run game.
• Debates: Miles Garrett’s sacks—scheme or genuine protection problems?
• Off-line: O-line coach influence and roster turnover effects.

Quarterback Questions [08:03–28:24; 183:19–188:54]

• Brock Purdy’s resurgence:
  • “Brock has full control...Always on time, always on target.” (Darius Butler, 13:25)
• Niners O Review:
  • “When Mac Jones starts having success…Brock comes back in…there’s a reason why I’m the guy.” (Host, 12:16)
• Shadour Sanders to Cleveland:
  • Stepping in as QB1 for the Browns, rookie pressure, and the challenges for backup QBs.
  • “I don’t know how any [rookie QBs] ever have success, like being 100% serious…” (McAfee, 25:05)
• Minnesota Vikings & J.J. McCarthy/Nine Alter Ego:
  • Team still searching for consistent QB play, fun recurring bit about McCarthy’s “Nine” game-performer identity.
  • “People have certainly run with it and been like, nine's ass, dude.” (Host, 184:01)
• Chicago Bears & NFC North:
  • “The Bears are the kings of the North. Get used to it.” (Host, 108:57)

Everything DB with Darius Butler [178:07–200:07]

• Breakdowns:
  • Miami's Jack Jones game-sealing INT in OT.
  • Chicago’s league-leading takeaway defense.
  • Rams’ interception heavy performance.
  • Cowboys finally making the “Good D” list.
  • Bad D: Arizona’s busted coverage vs. the Niners.

4. College Football Playoff (CFP) & Rankings Drama [54:05–73:39]

• Bracket reveals, Notre Dame’s polarizing 9th spot, and the CFP committee’s communication issues.
• “It sounds like you're being forced to say what you’re saying right there. And you don’t even believe it.” (Host, 56:31)
• Notre Dame RB Jeremiah Love (see below) featured as face of team on the rise.
• CFP Theme Song Debate:
  A running gag—panel breaks into spontaneous “12 down to 1” song, poking fun at the official playoff jingle, drawing joy and scorn alike.

5. Featured Guest: Notre Dame RB Jeremiah Love [134:28–152:45]

Jeremiah Love Interview

• Player Profile: Humble, team-first, physically dominant.
• Notre Dame Brotherhood:
  • Focus on team over stats, “It’s a very positive environment in the running back room. Everyone wants to see each other succeed.” (141:39)
• Legacy and Outlook:
  • “I want to leave a legacy...of greatness...tried to inspire people through his play.” (145:23)
• Coaching Influence:
  • “Coach Freeman reminds us...of the pain of losing those two games...he uses that reminder.” (137:35)
• Notable Life Moment:
  • Love’s emotional evolution—“I was just the type of kid who...was kind of just there...as I’ve gotten older...my emotions have definitely shown up more.” (147:48)

6. Ownership & NFL Facilities: The Team Report Card Debate [113:32–128:53]

• NFL vs. NFLPA Over Facility Grades:
  • Arguments over transparency, owners’ reactions to public criticism (“Maybe don’t be cheap. Build a nice facility. Treat your players well.” – JJ Watt, 114:09).
  • Panel agrees public pressure is the only way meaningful change occurs.
  • Analogy of college-to-NFL facilities, NIL impact debated.

7. Signature Moments & Quotes

• Pat McAfee on NFL Parity:
  "This has to be one of the most parody [filled] seasons…In terms of the teams that you thought would be at the top, aren’t." (JJ Watt, 101:48)

• Franklin on Recruiting:
  “When you hand it off to Saquon Barkley, for some reason the plays work better…we get a lot of credit, but this is a player’s game.” (James Franklin, 40:18)

• Darius Butler on Defensive Tactics:
  "When you have those dogs up front, you know, hey, I can sit on this…take a chance.” (199:07)

• CFP Talk – on Committee’s Messaging:
  “We need a transparent communicator on what the hell is going on.” (Boston Connor, 61:21)

8. Lighter/Jokey Moments

• Hair jokes, hat-wearing, and Conner’s “exciting white line” train/color bit for the Niners.
• Authentic banter regarding the CFP theme song (“Do we need to write a song for the Report Cards too?” – JJ Watt, 127:21)
• Panel pokes fun at AJ Hawk’s supposed cheerleading exploits and the boundaries of sport vs. competition (cheer as “competition,” not “sport”).

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Summary | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Show Kickoff & Banter | Housekeeping, jokes, football magic | 00:00–03:50 | | Brock Purdy/Niners Deep Dive | Purdy’s impact, Shanahan’s offense, O-line discussion | 08:03–15:15 | | Shadour Sanders to Cleveland | Rookies, backup QB struggles, AFC/NFL insight | 22:39–28:24 | | James Franklin Interview | VT move, recruiting, legacy, Enter Sandman, culture | 32:02–48:41 | | College Football Playoff Controversy | Rankings, committee flaws, theme song bit | 54:05–73:39 | | Notre Dame RB Jeremiah Love Interview | Personal journey, ND brotherhood, adversity, legacy | 134:28–152:45 | | In the Trenches: O-line Rankings | Top 5, blocking schemes, individual breakdowns | 154:43–177:44 | | Everything DB: Defensive Film | Jack Jones INT, Bears defense, Rams, Cowboys, Bad D | 178:07–206:41 | | NFLPA/NFL Team Facilities Report Cards | Public shaming, owner pushback, transparency debate | 113:32–128:53 | | Minnesota QB "Nine" Identity Bit | J.J. McCarthy/ “9” joke extended, underperformance | 183:19–188:54 |

Conclusion

The Pat McAfee Show #1455 delivers a potent blend of high-caliber football discussion, insightful interviews, running gags, and authentic behind-the-scenes banter. Highlights include a reflective and forward-looking James Franklin, a revealing chat with Jeremiah Love of Notre Dame, practical breakdowns from AQ Shipley and Darius Butler, and a panoramic take on everything from offensive line play to NCAA tournament politics—served with both irreverence and affection for the game.

Memorable Quote:
"Maybe don’t be cheap. Build a nice facility. Treat your players well. Make them happy. Be a friend. Tell a friend something about that you love them and have a great day.” — JJ Watt (114:09)