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The Pat McAfee Show
PMS 2.0 1465 - NFL Week 14 Preview/Picks, TNF Recap, Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Henry Jr. Makes His College Commitment, Nick Saban, Stanford Steve, & AJ Hawk
03:33:01
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- [00:01]
A.J. Hawk
Here we go. Welcome to the Pat McAfee Show. I'm A.J. hawk sitting in at Pat's desk. He's down in Atlanta for a big game, boys. There's a big game last night. Lions beat the Cowboys.
- [00:13]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Football.
- [00:15]
A.J. Hawk
It happened last night. Obviously one of the best ever on the call, obviously, up there. And Peter makes an appearance. Pat, I know you're down at the beautiful Mercedes Benz dome right there in Atlanta, Georgia for the SEC championship. Who do you got with you there? You got a couple guests.
- [00:28]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, obviously living legend. Peter is here. Peter Herbstreet, an absolute stallion. And then Kirk Herbstreet, fresh off the call last night up in Detroit.
- [00:37]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Shake his hand.
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Pat McAfee
What the hell was. What just happened? Thank you, Jace.
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A.J. Hawk
Jason, does he have that Howie Mandel thing?
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Pat McAfee
That was unbelievable.
- [00:45]
Kirk Herbstreit
I thought he was doing. I thought you were doing Kirk.
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Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
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Kirk Herbstreit
I didn't know you were. Yeah, I thought knife hand.
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Pat McAfee
Okay, I respect that. I understand that Peter's here, obviously, but Kirk obviously fresh off a flight from Detroit down here to Atlanta for the SEC championship. It just means more, doesn't it? That's kind of the big selling point is it just means more down.
- [01:02]
Kirk Herbstreit
That's what they say.
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Pat McAfee
Alabama versus Georgia. It's obviously storied in tradition and a rivalry seemingly as long as ball has been ball. Two great teams trying to take home the SEC championship.
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Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah, Yeah, I think it's going to be a great. It's always a great scene. We do all these games from the beginning to the end, all the way to the national championship. And I always say. And people could say these conference championships, they don't matter. The way that used to show up here Saturday at 4 o' clock and feel the vibe and the energy that will be in this dome. It's still a championship on the line. It's not what it used to be. You win this, you advance. In the old days, you lose, you're out. But this is still going to be as good a scene I think college football has to offer.
- [01:43]
Pat McAfee
Now there's some championship games where if they lose, they're obviously out of the conversation. If they win, they might be out of the College Football playoff conversation. And certainly chaos could happen throughout championship Saturday. The Big Ten obviously has number one versus number two. And A.J. i talk to you. Thank you for traveling over to Indianapolis, to the Thunderdem on this glorious dookie feel. Good Friday. On that note, Ohio State. Very used to the Big Ten championship games. Very used to the massive moments. Very used to it all. Indiana under Signetti here already in a Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis. SeatGeek sending us stats. The Hoosiers, I think, are about to fill up the loud house in the Lucas Oil Stadium. They're not just going to fill up the stadium at night. I think the entire city, all day. Well, how do people in Columbus feel about this? You beat the cute Indiana Hoosiers last year, right? That is kind of maybe the thought. Or do you have respect for their team this year? How do you think Ohio State fans feel about the championship as a whole?
- [02:36]
A.J. Hawk
No, I think the people that I have been around, the people I talk to, they have a ton of respect for Signetti and what Indiana has done. I mean, Indiana is legit. You can't. I don't think you can doubt them anymore. He comes back after the great year last year, and they put on another unbelievable performance. So I think it's a great, like, you know, what do you call measuring tool or measuring thing to say, hey, measuring stick, measuring stick, litmus test. All those old cliches you want to talk about. But I believe, Kirk, you would know even better than I believe Ryan Day said. Nobody on this team currently has won a Big Ten championships. This is a big deal for these guys. They want to win. You know what still would say if they're keeping score, we want to win the game. Even though it is a little different now with the College Football Playoff in the future.
- [03:12]
Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah. You know, anytime if you're a player, you're playing for a championship and you're playing a team, let's face it, talking about, do you respect Indiana? How can you not respect Indiana? You know, based on what they did last year. But to me, what they've done this year. They're a very different team this second year with Signetti because of the line of scrimmage. They're tough to run the football on. They established their run game. Mendoza gets a lot of the recognition and the credit, which he should, but guys I've been more impressed with, they go to Eugene, Oregon win. They go into Iowa City in a tough environment and find a way to win without their fastball. They've just overcome the play against Penn State at the end of the game, like, they've got some moxie about them. They got some belief. I just don't think if this were last, it'd be like what you say, cute story. That's kind of what last year. This isn't that way this year. I think it's a different Indiana team. And I. I think the atmosphere in there is going to be electric. It'll be awesome.
- [04:04]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it's going to be spectacular. And you talk about maybe this year being different than last year. I think Signetti can feel it, too. Signetti, AJ Said, I don't have to be the person that's just like causing headline after headline after headline every single week. With everything I'm saying about how great our team is and how terrible every other team is. I think he even says, like, I think we're at a different spot now than we were before. I think that's true.
- [04:24]
Kirk Herbstreit
And I tested this year. They were not really tested last year. They've been tested and they've. They've found ways to win. And I think that gives you a very different team getting into a matchup like this.
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Pat McAfee
Let's go to one half of the Hammer.
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Nailed it.
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Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah, I'm in there.
- [04:40]
Pat McAfee
AP Tone. Tone, Their defense, too, has a little bit of maturity, too, right? At all three levels. On the Indiana side, I think a lot of people, obviously last year did Canada's little brother certainly tearing it up. O' Rourke on the offensive side, surprising a lot of people. They wondered about the defense matching up against the big bodies of the big, big schools. This year they got some continuity and they have some people return at big places. Indiana is ready for this, right? Or is anybody ready for Ohio State?
- [05:05]
Kirk Herbstreit
The way they look real quick before the guys respond to that, I think that's. That's what we don't know. We keep saying about Ohio State. How good are they? Well, they went to Michigan in a really tough rivalry game in a tough environment, and I think all of us walked away from that. Like, yep, they are that team. This team could be somehow better than they were last year because of the way they're getting. Julian Saenz playing the maturity on the outside with Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith and Ennis, they can run the ball now with Bo Jackson, the offensive line looks better, and I think this defense, they are dominant. But with all that being said, again, it's as good against good, so. And what's great is it's not subjective analysis. We're going to see 60 minutes of these teams kicking each other's asses, which I. I think that's what we want to see. Who's the better team.
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Pat McAfee
A lot of subjective analysis coming on this particular program today. The athletic director of Notre Dame will be joining us at 12:40 Eastern Time. But, Tone, I think the defensive side of Indiana, they. They are definitely and should be much more confident this year than maybe last year. Does anybody have Anything to hold up against Ohio State. And I think Indiana can really do this thing, especially with what Lucas Oil is going to be like.
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Ty Schmidt
Agreed.
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Tone (Tony)
And the all Big Ten team came out yesterday, I believe. And 13 of the 22 positions were either Ohio State or Indiana for first team, all Big Ten. So this is obviously a one versus two. But what you're talking about, Indiana had three all Big Ten defenders last year. Mikhail Camara, Aiden Fisher and then d' Angelo Pons. That was D tackle, linebacker and corner. They all came back. They're all, all Big Ten again. Kamara leads the country in pressures from the interior. Aiden Fisher obviously is the, the leader at the linebacker position. And then Pons is first team all Big Ten again at corner. So they have guys at every single level level to be like Ohio State, Indiana. These are the two best teams that they're going to face all season long. Yeah, IU played Oregon, which was a really, really good test. But is Oregon, Ohio State? Probably not. We saw that last year. And then coming in this year, Ohio State has only gotten better on both sides of the ball. So no, this is going to be the best test for both teams. And two of the best teams in the country facing each other on Saturday night. It's going to be awesome.
- [07:14]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, we're very excited for championship weekend. And obviously Peter is getting his workout in around this stadium, a place that he frequents. He knows this place very, very well. But let's talk about last night. Another place that Peter was at and you were at. How about them Detroit Lions, Foxy? I haven't even really got a chance to chit chat with you about Foxy because, you know, the game ran late, but Foxy, huge win for the Lions. Are we all the way back? I know we got a couple injuries obviously that are going to continue to maybe haunt this Detroit Lions team for whatever, I guess. Are they always going to catch an injury bug which is just as Peter, you know, doing his thing. That was awesome. Peter, he dropped the ball under the stage. So now we stand underneath. Crack under. He was trying to create a crack on the stage where the cameras are with the stage that we're standing on.
- [07:58]
Kirk Herbstreit
Now he's under the stage.
- [07:59]
Pat McAfee
Peter is a dog. I mean in every single sense of the word there. But the Lions look great. Things go their way. And then on the flip side, a Dallas Cowboys CD might go for a thousand yards in one game. He gets concussed off the ground. George Pickens looks a lot like what Pittsburgh Steelers George Pickens look like. And the Lions Get a dominant win. Are the Cowboys fugues? Are the Lions all the way back? Foxy is a Lions fan. What are your thoughts on the game? Yeah, all day yesterday I woke up and I had a little pep in my step because this was a playoff game, Cowboys vs Lions. All the analytics said whoever loses this game, you're out. And whoever wins, you got a chance still. And the Lions, they, they honestly, the big time players for the Lions made big time plays when we need it. Golf was absolutely perfect. St. Brown was money, Gibbs all over the place. J O all over the place. Jack Campbell on defense is an absolute monster. And then on the flip side, like you guys mentioned, like George Pickens just didn't make the plays. Their big time players didn't make the plays. And that's what this game came down to. And I just love that we still have a chance. It's a long chance, but the Lions are looking good and the offense is going to have to take over for this team.
- [09:10]
Kirk Herbstreit
Well, I had, I was. Foxy, I was thinking about you during the game and being in Detroit and I was with you. The analytics showed that this was going to be a must win. I mean there's still, I guess mathematically you're still in it, but. Yeah, yeah, but this, this was a must win. I don't Forget this was 27 to 9. I think you got to give Dallas a lot of credit for they got it to a seven point game. And how about Tom Kennedy huge return. I think people maybe forget about that late in that game he had a huge return almost to midfield to set Goff up. And Dan Campbell, you know when conventional wisdom says, hey, let's run the ball, it's worked the clock. He goes play action on second down and hit St. Brown who by the way, once again just shows you the dog that alpha that he is by playing through the ankle pain. He's got 10 days now to recover, to get ready for their next matchup next Sunday night against the Chargers. But Goff played well, I think leaving that game. I think it's really about the Detroit defense as Foxy I'm sure has talked about. They were just not able to affect the quarterback as Jordan loved last week. Really the last four or five games and they look like a totally different team. They played with desperation, they played with an attitude and when they needed to make the plays right there. Jack Campbell, the Iowa Hawkeye making plays all night, they, they made the plays they had to do. Give them all the credit. Great atmosphere. I love doing games in that that stadium and that. That not just the team but the fans sensed this is a must win and I think they were a big factor in the game as well. Some bad officiating.
- [10:42]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, a lot of bad dookie officiating all across the board. We can't have that be down the stretch. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Very kind of you to send me the text that you sent me to. Just thinking in the middle of your world and thinking about these. Very cool. Same with everybody else. Let's wrap up the conversation about this game, but Ty Schmidt over at the toxic table and at Boston, Connor, Brandon Aubrey is the greatest kicker of all time. This guy's unbelievable. They're calling him butter. And then on. On that note, are the Lions all the way back in the NFC North. Ty, is that kind of how you view what happened last night after watching Aubrey do something absolutely historic?
- [11:13]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, I mean, I don't. It's tough to say they're all the way back because I think we were kind of, you know, like talking about their demise like they were dead when they weren't. But they're. They're in a position now. Now it's kind of all eyes on, you know, they don't have their destiny in their own hands. They got to rely a lot on either the packers or the Bears to go on a major Schneider here. But I think we saw last night, like when their offense is clicking, they can beat anybody in the NFL. It's just, you know, do they want to get into these track meets, these shootouts? Because we know their defense, they had a couple, you know, opportune moments last night where they forced to turn over and you know, that obviously goes a long way. But Jameer Gibbs, it's. It's kind of at this point, obviously getting a Monroe St. Brown back was massive. But when this guy is going and they can get him 20 to 25 to 30 touches a game, I think, you know, you're hard pressed to find a better offense in the NFL. So obviously, you know, we'll see what they can do down the stretch. But boy, I mean, all eyes now go to Sunday at Lambeau between the Bears and the packers. And then that's kind of whoever loses that one, that's who the Lions are going to be looking at and, you know, maybe trying to nip on their heels a little bit.
- [12:19]
Kirk Herbstreit
And Ty, I think we got to give Dan Campbell, I know we all get excited about just who he is as a coach and his quotes and his man, you know, like all that stuff is awesome. Guys calling the place.
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Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah.
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Kirk Herbstreit
Second time in his career and, you know, you lose Ben Johnson, they go with John Morton, doesn't work out. They make the switch about four or five games ago. And I thought he called a masterful game last week. Having golf there in his fifth year in Detroit, fourth year in the system obviously helps, but without laporta bringing Skipper in, they. They just, they. They come up with just different wrinkles and just can't say enough about him. They played like they needed to win, and they. And they did.
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Pat McAfee
Amon Ra questionable, goes crazy. Montgomery. Not really a topic of the conversation because Jameer Gibbs, he goes crazy. Jameer Gibbs, he goes crazy. It's like Dan Campbell was in his bag. You know, he was in his bag. Now let's talk about being in a bag. Ladies and gentlemen, we have the incredible opportunity and honor to be a part of a massive day for a future goat in my eyes. Now, I have. I've had a chance to understand who this man is for a long time because obviously he is the son of not only West Virginia legend, but football legend Chris Henry. I've had a chance to meet his family. His mom got ooze in the family. She is spectacular. And this kid, not only is he 6 foot 6, 6 foot 7, 200 and whatever pounds, he's physical, he's tough, and he loves ball. Some of us might have been trying to tell Pac Man Jones to tell him, hey, he's been able to dunk from the foul line since like, freshman year of high school. Let's put him in there instead. All he wants to be is a football dog. Ladies and gentlemen, to make his official commitment on where he will be continuing his football career, please welcome and we're lucky to say this, Chris Henry Jr. Yes.
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Chris, how you doing, buddy? We appreciate you joining us, man. Aloha. Aloha over there.
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Stanford Steve
Aloha, Aloha.
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Pat McAfee
Ooze. All right, family. Chris, whenever I got a chance to kind of learn about your story, your family story, the only thing that's really come through is just that you're a workhorse, a good person, humble, but an absolute dog on the football field. We know that you had been committed to Ohio State for a long time. And then obviously, Brian Hartline accepting a job at usf, you've had the opportunity, I think everybody has understood it, to kind of just re weigh all your options. First of all, if you'd like to chit chat about your entire recruitment process, and if you would like to let us know where you're Playing you kind of do whatever the hell you want to do right now. Us, your world. Congrats on all of it.
- [15:00]
Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah.
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Pat McAfee
So, first of all, I just want.
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Stanford Steve
To, you know, thank God for just.
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Pat McAfee
Putting me in this position right now to, you know, be able to make this decision. And, you know, I thank all my family for just being here to support me throughout this, you know, time.
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Stanford Steve
And you know, ultimately I've been committed to the Buckeyes for, you know, a long time and, you know, with Coach.
- [15:21]
Pat McAfee
Harline leaving, you know, really impacted my.
- [15:24]
Stanford Steve
Recruitment heavily and, you know, I really just had to take a.
- [15:28]
Pat McAfee
Take time to step back and really reevaluate everything. But, you know, just, you know, sit with my family and taking time to think about it.
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Stanford Steve
You know, ultimately I'll be committed and staying committed to the Ohio State University. You know, I just feel like they just, they're the right fit for me.
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Pat McAfee
And, you know, I made my decision, you know, a couple years ago and it was for the right choice and.
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Stanford Steve
You know, it was my time, you know, just taking time to think about.
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Pat McAfee
It and just step back, you know.
- [15:58]
Stanford Steve
Even though heartline did leave, you know.
- [16:00]
Pat McAfee
How it stays, you know, always been in my heart since I committed. So now I'll be staying home at the Allstate. Congratulations.
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Kirk Herbstreit
Congrats to you and your family.
- [16:11]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And we know it's not okay Uz. Okay Uz. Oh.
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Tone (Tony)
That's great.
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Pat McAfee
Okay. Obviously a large portion of your life, you grew up in the state of Ohio. Then you go over to matter day how excited it seems everybody is to head back over to the state of Ohio. I can't wait to watch you over there. Congrats on this decision and tell everybody we say what's up and congrats over there, will you please?
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Appreciate it.
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Man. Ladies and gentlemen, can I.
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Kirk Herbstreit
Yes, Chris, it's Kirk. I just want to congratulate you. I know this was not a. An easy decision for you when, when Brian Hartline left. And there are a lot of people who are probably recruiting against Ohio State that are thinking now, hey, they lost Brian Hartline. They're not going to be able to recruit the same receivers as they've done in the past without him. What's your message to that and why Ryan Day and. And Ohio State? Why is it the right spot for you when you think about your development and growth of these next three to four years?
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Pat McAfee
Yeah, for me it was just really.
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Stanford Steve
Just, you know, being at a place where I feel comfortable at, you know, it's really.
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Pat McAfee
It was never really about the money.
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Stanford Steve
You know, I was getting, you know.
- [17:30]
Pat McAfee
Tons of offers, you know, like other.
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Stanford Steve
Places, like double the times, Ohio.
- [17:35]
Pat McAfee
But, you know, ultimately it was just.
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Stanford Steve
For me, it was just place where I feel comfortable at, you know, being developed and, you know, ultimately, you know.
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Pat McAfee
Reaching my goals, which is to be a first round draft pick. So, you know, that's what it was for me.
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Kirk Herbstreit
And you got a great quarterback, obviously, to work with. We're seeing Julian saying and what he's doing throughout his development as a young guy and maybe make him a run this year to another championship. So just want to say congratulations to you and your family, man. That's a big decision and I know weight off your.
- [18:03]
Pat McAfee
Hell yeah. Congratulations to you and your family and to everybody over there and to, and to oh world Ohio State. And on that note, a man who is a Ohio State hall of Famer, AJ Hawk, would like to say some words and maybe even ask a question to the newest, greatest of all time wide receiver room that the Ohio State Buckeyes have pieced together. Go ahead, A.J.
- [18:23]
A.J. Hawk
Absolutely, Chris. I played Ohio State a long, long time ago, actually with Brian Hartline. I was a couple years older than him, but I wanted to say welcome to, welcome to the family. It's an awesome situation. I think everyone there obviously already loves you and they're going to love you even more once you're on campus full time. Welcome to your family as well. But I guess what, what ultimately led you to this decision, obviously choosing and staying with Ohio State.
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Pat McAfee
No, it's.
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Oh, all right. Hey, we love you, Chris.
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Connor (Toxic Table)
Congrats. Thank you.
- [18:58]
Pat McAfee
Congrats.
- [19:00]
Ty Schmidt
Good decision.
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A.J. Hawk
Great decision.
- [19:02]
Pat McAfee
We love you. Oh.
- [19:08]
A.J. Hawk
There we go.
- [19:10]
Pat McAfee
Congrats to your Buckeyes.
- [19:11]
Kirk Herbstreit
That was big. I, I, I didn't really follow, you know, since Brian Hartland left. I, I didn't really know if he was going to go to. Who else was in play there?
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Pat McAfee
Oregon, usc, Oregon, West Virginia, obviously. You know that.
- [19:24]
Connor (Toxic Table)
That's a fact.
- [19:26]
Nick Saban
I love that.
- [19:27]
Pat McAfee
I love that.
- [19:28]
Nick Saban
I love.
- [19:29]
Pat McAfee
Don't you do what you just.
- [19:30]
A.J. Hawk
What, you don't think that's real, Kirk? You don't think they're in the running? Kirk?
- [19:34]
Pat McAfee
I don't like what he just did right there. West Virginia was in the running, of course, because of who his father is, right?
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Nick Saban
Yeah.
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Pat McAfee
His dad, legend of West Virginia. So him and Pac man, obviously best.
- [19:42]
Kirk Herbstreit
Friends, number 15 at West Virginia.
- [19:44]
Pat McAfee
Yes. And then Pac on the other side. I mean, they were menaces, obviously, on the football field. Maybe the most talent we've ever had on a Football field.
- [19:51]
Kirk Herbstreit
And that's what West Virginia is going back to.
- [19:53]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, we're trying back to. We're trying to at least. So there's a chance, like Chris Henry Jr. Wants to come back, you know, to West Virginia. But I think everybody that knows his family understands what the business opportunities were here because of who he is. Yeah, they were floating some numbers out there on what was being offered to Chris Henry Jr. From some of these schools. And it's like he's got the work ethic, he's got the lineage, he's got the drive, he's got the mentality, and he obviously has the physical traits. His catch radius is like seven foot something.
- [20:18]
Kirk Herbstreit
Chase played him when he was a sophomore and he was still in Cincinnati and he was a sophomore, and you could already see this guy is just kind of scratching the surface of where he's going to go. And then he ends up going out to modern day and in Southern California and Orange county and obviously just continue to get better and better. Not just big. You can see the speed that he has to be able to pull away. And then you're going into a system that, you know, this is going to be the new thing. With Ohio State. Losing Brian Hartline, this is a big message, I feel like, for Ryan Day to his staff for what they've been able to do. When you land Chris Henry Jr. Like this, I think it sends a very loud message to future receivers and future recruits that Ohio State's going to continue because that room has gotten different under Brian Hartline's guidance. And it looks like with this, it's going to continue, even though he's off to Tampa at usf AJ Such a.
- [21:07]
Pat McAfee
Fascinating thing there, because two Herbie's point about the statement being made, like, I think everybody understood whenever Chris Henry Jr. Was like, well, if Hardline's not there, literally, that is the wide receiver room. So I think even people in Ohio, you would know more than me. I'm just kind of checking the temperature on the Internet. I think everybody was like, ah, he is. I mean, this guy's the guy. So if he wants to kind of reevaluate everything, I think everybody was kind of cool with it. I know there were some other schools that thought they really had a shot. Like, they were very excited, but they had no idea. So whenever I get the text message this morning, because I guess it was floating around last night, that he was gonna want to come on today's show or whatever, I had not heard that. Okay. So, like, I had people asking me And I'm the person that books the show alongside a couple, so I had not heard anybody reach out to me about Chris Henry Jr. Coming on. Now, does Chris Henry Jr. Know that he is a green light to come on this show whenever the hell he wants?
- [21:55]
Kirk Herbstreit
Yes.
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Pat McAfee
Okay. Because obviously I've known him for a long time in the West Virginia family. It just feels like that is the right thing to do, and especially with how much respect I have for this dude. He is a workhorse. And not only does he have the size and everything, he is a workhorse. So I would have greenlighted any time, but I had no conversation with anybody last night about him coming on. This morning, I get a text message, hey, would it be cool if Chris comes on and announces where he wants to go today? Yes. So then I make. I. I tweet out that, hey, he is coming on. So I get some questions from some people at different places that, you know, have some wonderings. And I don't think anybody knew. I don't think anybody. I'm getting text, too, right there. Pat.
- [22:32]
A.J. Hawk
I'm getting plenty of text, too. People not. Not sure exactly what's going to happen. So that was surprising. I mean, the family, obviously, they were prepared.
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Stanford Steve
A.J.
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Kirk Herbstreit
I. I think, you know, I, you know, a lot of Ohio State fans, I think the. The noise on the Internet made everybody just assume now he's going to announce on Pat show. He's probably going to go to Oregon or he's going to go maybe to the highest bidder. But, man, how about his comments about, this was about money. This is about how I feel, and I fit at Ohio State. And even though Brian Hartline is not going to be there, I still feel strongly about that. I think that says a lot about Ryan Day. And like I said, I think this isn't just about Chris Henry, AJ I think this is about a message being sent to other receivers and other recruits down the line about what that room can still be despite not having heartline there. That was obviously such a big part of it.
- [23:18]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Con man, we saw that. Con Man. I'm sorry, AJ and anything you want to say about Ohio State Buckeye, you should definitely say it. So I apologize for stepping on you. But, Con man, what I said in the intro there was very real. We, you know, we know Pac very well, and we know Pac man took on the onus of basically raising family whenever Slim passes away. So we. We've seen this kind of for a long time now. This dude, they thought he was going to grow too much. To be able to not be able to play football anymore. They were like, he's going to be forced into playing basketball. If he gets a 6 foot 8, like he's going to have to go play basketball. Jet 6, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7.
- [23:53]
Kirk Herbstreit
So he's like Plaques Burris.
- [23:55]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And he's dog. Like he views himself as a dog. Like basketball, guaranteed money. You got to have the right size. He's going to have it. You got to be able to be athletic. He has it. Got to be able to shoot. He was able to do it, but we. I feel like kind of a rude person but I was telling Pac and telling him, anytime I was talking to him like, bro, we need to work on that. Yeah, let's go ahead and get that. You're six, you're going to be six seven, bro. No, like go ahead and do that instead. Dude loves ball. Connor absolutely loves ball and chooses to go Big Ten football in the cold. Not that Oregon or USC would be anything different. It is Big Ten football, West Virginia, Big 12 football. He didn't want any pieces of that, I could tell you that. But I think this is a big statement also about who Chris Henry Jr. Is as a whole. I'm a big fan of this dude and I'm very happy for him.
- [24:41]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, very, very cool. And also just watching those highlights, like you said, he's 6 7, you're really not sure how fast he is. Seeing him pull away is asinine. I can't believe that's a real thing. And then you just think about what they're going to be next year. You know, all those other schools are great. The best player across the board everyone has said in college football himself is Jeremiah Smith. So now he's going to be on the other side as Jeremiah Smith. He's got probably the runner up to Mendoza this year in the Heisman voting with Julian saying throwing him the ball, like when you're thinking about the setup, it's incredible. And also, you know, where he's from, he did grow up in Ohio. I know he finished his high school football in matter day in California. But what Herbie just said, you know, sophomore year, high school, that's not so far away. And that's where he was. He was in Ohio. A large contingent of his families in Ohio. And when you talk about competing for national championships, yes, all those other schools are in it, kinda none of them are in it like Ohio State. Every single year, Ohio State consistently will be in either the Big Ten championship and if not, they'll be in the playoff. And if they're in the playoff, they're going to make a run. Like, I can't wait for this weekend, you know, just to see the entire game. But seeing Chris Henry Jr. With Jeremiah Smith next year, and Julian Sam will be great.
- [25:53]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And on that note, let's talk about big news in the Big Ten, as Peter just took out an entire suite section over here to our left, left cameras right, Penn State. Ty, I, I. There's a lot of people claiming around the Internet that they called this and they said this, but yes, literally yesterday or maybe two days ago. Ty, you go, what Penn State's gonna end up doing is they're gonna hire Matt Campbell and there's gonna. Ty said that, but I think a lot of people have said it, so I don't wanna. Ty doesn't want a grandstand. As if he's the only human that has said it, because in this world, we know that other people have said it. But, Ty, you did kind of get to a point where it was like, like, Matt Campbell feels like a winner. He feels like a winning hire for Penn State. Ty, is that not kind of your thought about it all?
- [26:33]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. And I think a lot of people, you know, just assumed that I was saying that because I'm an Iowa guy, and it's like, oh, hey, I, I want Iowa State. You know, he's such a good coach. Get him out of there. And while he is a great coach, I think it gets to a point now where you look at whoever, everyone else that's available or who they've went after and who said no and who's signed extensions elsewhere. This isn't a shot at Iowa State. I think Matt Campbell would maybe, you know, when he's by himself, admit, like, I think he's taken Iowa State to the zenith of, like, what they can be. He's already made that, you know, that they are more successful now than they have been in the last 100 years. He's an unbelievable coach, and I'd be very interested to see what he could do going to a place like Penn State where he has unbelievable resources and the ability to build a roster that he just simply is not going to be able to build at Iowa State. Now, part of it, you know, if he stays in Ames, he is already their most successful coach of all time. He's a God. There they'll build a statue. But at a certain point, it's like, hey, I know how good of a coach I am. I think I've kind of taken this program to new heights. A new challenge might be on the horizon. And. And you know, obviously he's super competitive. He probably feels like he could be the guy to go into Penn State and turn this thing around and get them going back to where they want to be.
- [27:50]
Kirk Herbstreit
Ty, I was under the assumption that he was almost untouchable at this point, you know, and I know Penn State can pay whatever that is they need to pay if this ends up happening. But I kind of thought, you know, maybe five years ago when he built Iowa State up, I thought that maybe somebody's going to come in and swoop him up. But I thought Iowa State's done a pretty good job of making pretty clear, hey, the buyout is ridiculous. No one can come in here and take. He's our guy. So if this happens, that would be a major effort by Penn State.
- [28:23]
Nick Saban
Well.
- [28:24]
Kirk Herbstreit
To make this happen.
- [28:25]
Pat McAfee
Well, that goes to the next point. AJ Obviously, we've been covering the Penn State coaching hiring story. They're the first coach to be let go. First job that was kind of opened up or whatever, and then still the last job to have hired coach. Signing day has come and went. Chris Henry has committed to a place rethought and then recommitted to a place none of them being Penn State. Also a lot of places saying, why would you ever go to Penn State? They don't even have a coach. So they've missed quite an important period here in this entirety. But it feels like they've taken a swing on a lot of different coaches. And then now we got leaked audio coming out from there. It's like all hell is broken loose in this entire Penn State coaching cycle. Matt Campbell, I think, just like I think Day Ball would get. Be able to get a positive pop from the donors that you would have to get. I think Matt Campbell could be a positive pop and also his recruits. Right. Could hop in the transfer portal before they even go there. We saw it with Song of Polar.
- [29:21]
Kirk Herbstreit
Such a different type of recruit and.
- [29:24]
Pat McAfee
They don't have any recruits.
- [29:25]
Kirk Herbstreit
But. But I. Yeah, I mean, if you can get a few from. But obviously he's going to go from. In this have and have not world. He's done so much at Ames, Iowa, where he's had to kind of like develop. Get this guy who's a. He's a tight end. We're going to turn him into a tackle, you know, just like Iowa does. And now you're going to Penn State where here's. Here's our nil. Very competitive. Our goal is Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Oregon. We're shooting for the stars.
- [29:55]
Pat McAfee
So he.
- [29:56]
Kirk Herbstreit
He goes from being like. Like, we're going to be tougher than them. We're going to be gritty. And now he's going to have ridiculous talent. I'm with Ty. It's going to be fun to see again. I don't know if he's going to take.
- [30:06]
A.J. Hawk
What other options, though. Sorry. What other options do they have other than Dable and he, like, who else are they looking at?
- [30:12]
Kirk Herbstreit
I have no idea. I have no idea.
- [30:14]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, you can do it.
- [30:16]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah.
- [30:17]
Kirk Herbstreit
I mean, there. There are. You'd be my defensive coordinator. Let's go down.
- [30:20]
A.J. Hawk
Okay, I'm in. Yeah, you get the gig.
- [30:22]
Pat McAfee
I'm in.
- [30:22]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yeah. I gotta do it from Ohio though.
- [30:24]
Pat McAfee
I'm not leaving, but yeah, I'm going.
- [30:27]
A.J. Hawk
Have to zoom in. Yeah. The boys have to really pay attention. Close, but yeah, co.
- [30:31]
Kirk Herbstreit
He's got his. He's got his young family there. He can't leave them.
- [30:34]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but all those. His kids could easily become Penn State people and not be Ohio State.
- [30:39]
A.J. Hawk
There's nothing easy.
- [30:41]
Pat McAfee
No chance. What do you mean?
- [30:43]
A.J. Hawk
I have a lot of respect for them, but no, we're not flipping. We're, you know, we know who we are. You see the double. I got double gear on today.
- [30:51]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I had to big time. Is that roosters? Is that a rooster?
- [30:53]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yeah, it's roosters.
- [30:54]
Nick Saban
Roosters.
- [30:55]
A.J. Hawk
Ohio State situation, you know, it.
- [30:59]
Doesn'T love roosters.
- [31:00]
Pat McAfee
Roosters have been very good to us. I would like to say that roosters has been very good to us and we are very, very grateful for roosters. And if you're ever in the Ohio area or anywhere else those rooster franchises are, why don't you stop by and try their meat? They got delightful fried chicken and they got delightful sauces there at roosters. Now on that note, people are going to be eating them with sorrow after the Indiana Hoosiers beat that out.
- [31:25]
I can't wait for that game. I'm excited for it. That building should be absolutely insane. Let's talk about some NFL news. Obviously, not only championship weekend here for college football, which is going to be electrifying. We have a huge Week 14 NFL slate that already started last night with the Lions beating the Dallas Cowboys. Justin Herbert taking snaps, it's a big deal. Guy got surgery on Monday, has a game on Monday night, had a fracture in his left hand. He was seen taking snaps in practice. Herb street, we love everything that Herbert is about, but also, I think with a hardball Coach, team, you're going to have to be tough. And I think Herbert enjoys the opportunity to showcase that he is a dog in yet another situation.
- [32:04]
Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah, he is a tough guy and I think that's a big part of his game and I think that's why his teammates respect him so much and start to look at the standings and not just the division, but the in the wild card. Chargers have some really big time opponents coming up and they need him healthy to have any chance, obviously. So it's, if you're a Chargers fan, huge news that he's going to be able to try to gut it out. And again, look at that plate. Few screws, put, whatever, let's go play football. I mean that's, that's a different breed.
- [32:33]
Pat McAfee
AJ that goes back to the story that we heard from whenever we did game day, all the way in Georgie two years ago when Herbert's dad was there. And Herbert, I asked Herbert's dad about why he can punt so good. Because Herbert can punt really well. Like if he wanted to, I think if he was to focus full time for like a year or so, I think he'd be able to become an NFL punter. Justin Herbert, with how athletic he is and he know the form. And then also he kicks field goals so good. Like his field goal kicking is just like outrageous. Every training camp they show it. And I asked his dad about it, I was like my first question and he was like, they love ball. We used to have to tape uprights in our living room on the wall and move all the furniture out. All they wanted to do was play football all the time. Like, he is a ball lover. Harbaugh wants ball lovers on the squad. Are they able to go? AJ that Chargers team, there's always like so much hope in my mind. There's always.
- [33:24]
Kirk Herbstreit
And how about the game, AJ that they have this week against a Eagles team, kind of like the Lions last night. Talk about desperate football team. With everything going on after the loss last week to the Bears, A.J. that, that, that's going to be. Not just. That's, that's big for both teams.
- [33:38]
Pat McAfee
Yes, obviously, yes, I would say. But the Chargers, there's always like hope that they can be great, you know, like, I feel like we all think that, like, knock it on.
- [33:44]
A.J. Hawk
Is it going back though? Are you going back to the Phil Rivers era when they were like, you know, getting to the AFC championship? Like they, they were just good enough to not make the Super Bowl? It feels like I feel like they're, they're over that Hump. Now, this is a huge test, though. Like Kirk said, Philly, if you can beat Philly on Monday. Yeah, I think it's like we said, what litmus test situation, like we talked about earlier.
- [34:01]
Tone (Tony)
It's also not their only huge test. Kirk mentioned it.
- [34:04]
Ty Schmidt
Like, we.
- [34:04]
Tone (Tony)
And we've talked about the Colts upcoming schedule, but the Chargers have, obviously the Eagles. And then they're at KC at Dallas, which is really, really hard to play at, against the Texans, and then at the Broncos, like, they're 8 and 4 right now.
- [34:17]
Kirk Herbstreit
One of those games is a lock. I mean, no, none of them. Every one of those games.
- [34:21]
Pat McAfee
Okay, and let's go to the other side. You talk about desperate football teams. Coach Tyriani, Philadelphia Eagles. Are you guys okay over there? It feels like there's a lot of drama. Have people lost hope in your squad? Coach?
- [34:32]
Ty Schmidt
We don't, we don't concern ourselves with the opinions of people outside the building. We actually did a fun team exercise just the other day. We kind of got everybody on the same page. I don't know if you saw in the media. Unfortunately, Coach Pitullo did get his house egged quite a bit. And he was sitting in his foyer like Herman Boone when that person threw the brick, you know, through and he had the shotgun ready when Coach Yos Dar was there as well. We sat Kevin Petullo down at the 50 yard line in the indoor facility and we, we threw eggs at him for about an hour and a half. We really didn't even, even practice much. But I just say, hey, listen, I know you guys are frustrated. I know you guys can't really stand. I can't publicly say this guy sucks at his job. So we're gonna get everything out in the open. We're gonna egg him afterwards, we'll probably beat the shit out of him a little bit. We'll put some batteries in some socks and smack him around a little bit. And then guess what, Guess what? We go in the locker room and everything's peaceful. Everybody's dapping up, everybody's hugging. Everybody appears as if they are hungry dogs. So I would say, you know, look out for a Philadelphia Eagles. We kind of. We handle business in house, and I think business has been handled. Now, obviously, if we lose on Monday night in, you know, in la, things are going to get pretty loud and I'm going to have to come up with some new, you know, sirianism to kind of get through the guys. But, you know, they said on Hard Knocks, hey, Coach, you hear the sky's falling I say, yeah, sky's falling every day, so what difference does that make? We're still, you know, in the playoffs right now. And don't. Don't let the. Don't let the dogs get into the dance. Don't let the hungry dogs get into the dance, baby. That's why I've been preaching to the team. So we'll see. And obviously, it'd be nice if Saquon Barkley could run for more than, you know, like, 40 yards this weekend. That would be mad.
- [36:17]
Pat McAfee
Sounds like that's on you, coach. You know, maybe you and Petul.
- [36:20]
Ty Schmidt
I'm not calling the plays. I'm not calling the plays, Pat. You gotta remember, I'm not calling the plays. So it's kind of not.
- [36:25]
Pat McAfee
Not even like recommendations or anything, and not even.
- [36:29]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, so last week, I think I want to say I recommended the two plays when A.J. brown scored both his touchdowns outside that. I kind of just said, hey, Kevin, you do your thing. So.
- [36:38]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Okay. It sounds like you're throwing people under the bus. No, that's what it sounds like you're doing. Yeah, it sounds like you're throwing your coach under the bus right there.
- [36:44]
Ty Schmidt
Well, he's getting paid very well, Pat. You know, he's getting paid very well. And I don't know, I mean, then that just creates another big thing. If I. If I do the Dan Campbell thing and I start calling the plays this week and we win 42, nothing. Does that make things any better? I don't know. If it does, then they're going to be saying I'm a dipshit because I wasn't calling the plays all year. So it's kind of a lose, lose situation. It's meaningful football time. You've been saying it for weeks now. So we need the hungry dogs to show up, and it's bring your own kibble season. Okay. No one's bringing it for you.
- [37:16]
Pat McAfee
All right? Everybody's trying to take your guys kibbles with pot shots. You talk about a no win situation. Let's talk about the Patriots. So they got Kraft up for the hall of Fame and Bill Belichick up for the hall of Fame. There's a chance they both go in at the same time. Con man, your thoughts on the potential outcomes here with these two going into a football eternity, if you will?
- [37:36]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, I think the only outcomes they both go in. Now, the. The possible outcomes is knuckle sandwiches. I'd say. I worry about them standing next to each other. I don't think there will be any outward Seen animosity. But I do worry, you know, behind the scenes is Bill kind of, you know, cup checking Bob Kraft? Is Bob Kraft kind of sending it right back? Couple credit cards, couple scoops? I don't know. But I do think it will be cool for them both to get their flowers. Bill released his statement. I'm sure everybody who read it definitely believed it. I can say I kind of did. But they are happy for each other, allegedly. But I do think they both will end up in there. They both will have a very cool kind of look back at all they did. I personally hope that there's an apology from Robert Kraft with everything that happens in that documentary. And there is a Bill Belichick. Hey, you know what? Your scouts can come down here even though they probably won't take any players, but they can come down here and at least look, look at people. See, I'm getting emotional even thinking about it, just because it will be kind of a nice little reunion with both of them on that stage.
- [38:45]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, they've been on a stage before, you know, at the Tom Brady roast. They were, they were in a similar area. Nobody was allowed to talk about anything. If the hall of Fame lets the bygones be bygones, that'll be great news. Speaking of bygones being bygones, it seems like we're in the time of year for the college football world where people hold on to grudges forever because there's big decisions that are going to be made. You know, you start at 12, you count down to one. That's how you crown a CFP national champion.
- [39:10]
Kirk Herbstreit
Has that been back out?
- [39:11]
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah. We've been pushing new bars, we've been pushing espn, who made it, has not been pushing it nearly as much as we've been pushing it. And I don't know if they think we like it or we hate it. It's both and it's catchy. But on that note, who's getting into those tournaments? Who are going to be a part of the 12? Well, there's a couple teams that have been lobbying. Feels like there's been a couple teams that have been talking. Let's go to Gumpy real quick. Gumpy is a die hard University of Miami fan. Gumpsh. The Miami Hurricanes fans have been very loud and I'd say aggressive with the conversation about whether or not they warrant one of the 12 spots. Yeah, it just goes back to the.
- [39:47]
Tone (Tony)
Head to head for Miami fans. I think Notre Dame's a great football team. I wish Notre Dame and Miami could get in. I get it.
- [39:54]
Kirk Herbstreit
I agree.
- [39:54]
Tone (Tony)
But the whole time we've been told if it gets to this cluster where they're together, head to head matters. And that's all any Miami fans going off of.
- [40:02]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so Tone, one half of the Hammer.
- [40:06]
Cowboys. The situation is basically there's one spot, three teams, BYU could be one of the teams depending upon the outcome of the Big 12 championship in which they play Texas Tech, who already has their spot solidified. And then it comes down to Notre Dame and Miami basically getting one spot out of those three. Tone, what is the conversation in the narrative? It has been publicly, seemingly, Notre Dame, Miami. Right. Is what everybody's been comparing.
- [40:32]
Tone (Tony)
Yes, everyone's been comparing Notre Dame and Miami because BYU is in a conference title game and has a chance to win in that. But as I see it, when you look at the bracket here, 1 through 8, I believe are locked for the playoffs based on what they've done in the season, whether they're playing in a conference championship this weekend or they are off, they have done enough. That is from one Ohio State to number eight Oklahoma. Then Bama sits at number nine. I don't see a situation where the committee punishes Bama for a loss in the SEC championship against a Georgia team. I don't think they want to set the precedent where and at a. If you make the SEC championship game and you can lose and then be out of torment. So I think those nine are in there, then you'll probably have. If Virginia wins, you'll have the ACC champion and then you'll have the group of five champion probably coming out of the American, which then is. That's 11 teams. Then you have the one spot for Notre Dame, Miami, BYU. Obviously, if BYU loses to Texas Tech, they're going to drop below Miami. So then Miami and Notre Dame are right next to each other and that's where the committee is going to have to decide. And look at all the metrics and the head to head and every other situation, most that they've done in the rankings. Normally the head to head is above the other team. So I think it's a, it's a tough situation for Notre Dame, but we will, we will see come Sunday night how when all the chips are out on the table, how they decide.
- [41:51]
Pat McAfee
Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, friend of the program. He was once in charge of a network, a television network, a couple of them, actually, before he became the man at Notre Dame. Ladies and gentlemen, the athletic director for the Fighting Irish, Pete Bavocwa. Yeah, Pete. Hey, guys.
- [42:11]
Pete Bavocwa
Hey, Pat.
- [42:13]
Ty Schmidt
Hey, Pat.
- [42:15]
Pete Bavocwa
Good, great to see you too, Pat. We were, we were listening to your song this morning. It's great song. We like it.
- [42:21]
Pat McAfee
Hey, Dookie. I appreciate that you are not dookie. And I will say that from the very beginning. And I'm gonna release some more songs, Pete, and I'm gonna call some suits, some negative things in these songs. Very clever way to do it. Just know that you're not one of those suits. We like you, Pete. We don't want to speak out of line. We like people.
- [42:40]
He can spin it. Oh, yeah, he could spin it. He was in a suit in the Thunderdome and he spun a football. I mean, fire fired pig skin from stage to basketball hoop and then shot a hoop as well. We appreciate you, Pete. We think you're a great man and we appreciate your time today now.
- [42:57]
Pete Bavocwa
Thank you, Pat. Thanks for having me on.
- [42:59]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so let's dive into it. You just heard University of Miami Hurricane fan Gumpy talk about how the conversation is head to head matchups. Obviously, Miami says, and Miami did beat you guys first week of the year in the head to head matchup. Now you guys are clustered together. What is your kind of takeaway on the entire conversation right now about Notre Dame and what is like kind of your guys's perspective on why or how it should turn out?
- [43:24]
Pete Bavocwa
Yeah, no, I appreciate it. And for, you know, I start and Kirk, you'll, you'll appreciate this more than anybody. Being an Ohio State grad, you know, hats off to Ohio State and Indiana to have undefeated seasons like they've had this year and 2025 is such an accomplishment. But I think with the exception of those two teams who are undefeated, we're the hottest team in the country. I don't think anybody's playing better than Notre Dame. You think about this 10 game streak of dominance. We've had some of the best football I have ever seen here. And I've been a huge Notre Dame fan literally since the day I was born. Notre Dame grad. I think we're firing on all cylinders, Pat. And you know, for us, when you, when you hear the committee and you hear Hunter talk, the comparison has always been between Notre Dame and Alabama. I mean, he even said that as recently as Tuesday. We've been clustered with Alabama. Who deserves to be hired, Notre Dame or Alabama? So that's really what we've been focused on, in my opinion. The committee has really spoken about the Notre Dame Miami issue. As I see it, hey, it was the first game of the season. Miami is a really good team. But quite frankly, you know, as I said to somebody here today, nobody wins the race at the starting line. And I really think right now there's not a team in the country playing better football than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
- [44:46]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And you mentioned obviously Indiana and Ohio State. I think a lot of people find out about this Georgia team, how they've been playing. Texas Tech obviously been playing great. Those top four, I think, are in the conference conversation. But to your point about how you guys have performed since the loss to Miami and to Texas A M, who's still obviously who they are in the entire story of it all, how you guys have played since then has certainly been dominant. It certainly has been. But whenever you start stacking up, like how you're playing now versus how the head to head once, it's going to get ugly. Kirk, I, I guess that's just kind of every year for college football. Is that kind of what it always revolves?
- [45:18]
Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah, I mean, it's all whether it's 4 or 12 or eventually, if it goes to 16, whatever it is, there's always going to be debates. But I Pat, I just want to say congratulations to what you guys are are doing it and how you're doing it. And yeah, to me, if not the best coach in the country, you certainly have one of the best out there. And as far as the way he goes about his business, the way he carries himself in representing your university, it's been fun to watch him. Of course, he's from southwest Ohio, Wayne Warrior and up to Ohio State, but he is just hitting on all cylinders himself as a coach, so congrats on that. I just wanted to ask you, when you're with Greg and Tony and all the conference commissioners, are we ever going to get to a place where we have a system where Notre Dame and Miami aren't sitting here sweating it, trying to, you know, it'd be great. They're both in it, you know, like, do you ever see us getting to an expansion that everybody can agree on, especially Tony and Greg, to try to make some sense out of the future of college football in the postseason?
- [46:19]
Pete Bavocwa
Yeah, it's a great question, Kirk. And I have the privilege of being in that room due to my role here at Notre Dame, and I think there's almost unanimity in that room that we should be at 16 teams with five automatic qualifiers and 11 at large. And think if we were at 16 teams right now, I think it would be perfect, right? It would be absolutely perfect. These conversations are great. They're interesting. But you think about a Notre Dame team, You know, again, I'm biased, right? But I think we have absolutely the best player in the country. And Jeremiah Love, I haven't seen somebody this electrifying. I go back to Reggie Bush and before that, the Rocket here at Notre Dame, and. But yeah, 16 is the answer. Five automatics, 11 at large. And I hope we get there sooner than later.
- [47:08]
Kirk Herbstreit
And I think, Pete, fans of the sport, I don't think they want politics on the selection of the teams. They just want to see the bet. Whatever. Whatever system we use to evaluate. You have the 5 and then the next best 11, wherever their affiliation is. Just, let's give us, the fans and the players, the next best 11, because I think right now we're in a position where it's just. It seems like we're trying to make everybody happy.
- [47:32]
Pat McAfee
So what Kurt doesn't want to say here is the Group of Five champion is what he's trying to bring up.
- [47:36]
Kirk Herbstreit
No, no, no. It's sometimes when Ben Roethlisberger was in Miami, Ohio, they were on a run. If they're at a certain ranking, you know, put them in. It's nothing against the Group of Five. It's more about, let's just stack up after the five. Best team, best teams. That's all we want to see.
- [47:51]
Pete Bavocwa
When you think about it, you think about the conference championships, and, hey, that's, you know, we know our role, we're an independent. But, you know, even think about the conference championships this year, I mean, you think about Miami, we're talking about Miami, you know, they had two tough losses deep into the season, but, you know, Miami should be playing in their conference championship, right? For a chance to win that conference with as talented as a team they are. So I think, I think corrections can be made, but as it relates to the CFP, I think 16 teams is the answer. And I think, you know, I don't want to speak on anybody's behalf, but being in that room, I think there's an overwhelming momentum to try to get that done.
- [48:26]
Kirk Herbstreit
And you have an extension, right, to try to come to an agreement by next season. It didn't that get pushed back.
- [48:33]
Pete Bavocwa
It got pushed back, you know, with, with your. With your company, espn. Will we get there for next year? I'm not sure. You know, I think a lot of people in the room are certainly fighting for that, but hopefully if it's not next year, it'll be the. The remaining years after that. Because to me, that's the right answer.
- [48:47]
Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk, keep fighting the fight. We appreciate it.
- [48:50]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, we do appreciate that. Now, on that note, speaking of fighting fights, what do people say. What would be the contradictory to you saying you want 16 as an independent Notre Dame as opposed to being a conference school? I assume you have to hear a lot of arguments against you guys being independent and an independent potentially taking up a college football playoff spot versus teams that have to play a conference schedule. What do you kind of say about that? And what do they say to you that you think, like, is fair or not fair whenever it comes to you guys being independent?
- [49:17]
Pete Bavocwa
Well, you think about it, Pat. The regular season is more important for us than anybody because we don't have the opportunity to play in a conference championship. We can't play in the SEC championship or the Big 12 or the Big 10 or the ACC championship. And like, like you said in the, in the lead into this conversation, there's teams that are playing in these conference championships, particularly in the SEC and the Big Ten, that regardless of the outcome, they're both going to get a spot in the cfp. There's comfort in that. And a lot of people talked about last year, that, that magical run we had to the national championship, and they talked about the CFP economics and the money that Notre Dame earns through that, but they didn't talk about the other side of the coin. Whereas if we don't make it in, we don't get any money. We kind of. We eat what we kill. And so we're kind of out there dangling on our own and trying to schedule the best teams we can. You know, when you look at our future schedules, we have Texas and Alabama and hoping to get something done here with USC and, you know, an annual series with Clemson. So we feel really bullish about our independence. Something. It's part of the DNA of Notre Dame. And, you know, when you have alignment like we do at this university, when you have a coach like Coach Freeman and I joke with people, like, if we went into a laboratory and had to create the perfect coach for Notre Dame, you'd walk out with Marcus Freeman. And he's not just our football coach. He has become such a part of the fabric of this university. You go to a women's basketball game, a hockey game, you walk around campus, you see Marcus with his wife, Joanna, you see him with his kids. We're blessed to have him here in Notre Dame, and he's a big part why we can stay independent, because you got to be relevant when you're independent. If you're not winning, you become irrelevant in a Second, and we got to keep winning and, you know, we got to keep. Keep these seasons going like they have here the last few years.
- [51:10]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Nobody talks about UConn being independent, you know, until their coach goes to Colorado State. AJ Has a last question for you here, Pete.
- [51:16]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, Pete, you mentioned some of those big games you guys have on the schedule. You know, when you look into the future, like, how do you balance that, especially with Marcus Freeman on. Okay, like, we want to have these big games and play in these giant primetime games against top 10 teams, but also, like, it doesn't ultimately, you know, you lose one or two of those, it doesn't help you when it comes to the cfp. How do you balance that with Marcus?
- [51:37]
Pete Bavocwa
You know, we don't make a scheduling decision without talking to Marcus and bringing him into the conversation. And, you know, Marcus is wired in a way where he's not looking for the easy way out. He's like, come one, come all, let's prove it on the field. You know, he's wired that way. It makes the team wired that way. And, you know, A.J. one of the blessings we have here at Notre Dame is, you know, when we go on the road, you know, think about that pit game this year, right? We went on the road to Pitt. The place was sold out. Game day was there. I bumped into Pat there. They retired Aaron Donald's jersey. I mean, that was like a Super bowl for the University of Pittsburgh. So every game we play, and we're fortunate, that's not because of me. It's because of 100 year plus year history at Notre Dame. So we're used to big games and, you know, we want to play the best teams in the country each and every year.
- [52:26]
Kirk Herbstreit
Hey, Pete, I just want to ask you one last question. Just to leave this for Notre Dame fans watching this weekend's games. What's. What are you watching? What are you personally watching? Based on knowing the committee and how they've ranked these teams, it's. I'm a little nervous for Notre Dame with the move of Miami. If BYU were to maybe get. Get beat again by Texas Tech, you wonder if they would go underneath Miami and then Miami and Notre Dame are side by side. Could the head to head then give Miami the nod?
- [53:01]
Nick Saban
What.
- [53:01]
Kirk Herbstreit
What. What are you watching? What are you most concerned about? What are you most.
- [53:06]
Pete Bavocwa
Yeah, I would say, Kirk, again, I come back to Alabama. Certainly we're interested in watching the Georgia, Alabama game. Two great games. You know, sec, great conference. I think everybody in the Notre Dame nation is a Texas Tech Fan this week. I have great admiration for Texas Tech and byu, but no secret, we want Texas Tech to win that game. And then, you know, we've been ninth. We think we should still be ninth. Quite frankly, we've made that known to the. The committee, but, you know, we got to. We got to watch these games with great interest, for sure. And I just think, you know, we went from nine to 10 having not snapped the football. I don't see any way where we can drop two spots and Miami can go up two spots. Neither of us have played a game over the course of these two weeks. The committee has always had us ahead of them. The committee has admitted that. It's always been a conversation, a fierce conversation. If you listen to Hunter, between. Who deserves to be ahead of each other? Notre Dame, Alabama? Our feeling, our hope is if Texas tech can be BYU, we're in. Question is, are we going to be 10th or 9th? That's what we're going with. And again, I come back to the fact, hats off to Indiana and Ohio State. Amazing seasons. Other than that, I would go toe to toe with anybody in saying that we are the hottest team in the country right now.
- [54:29]
Pat McAfee
And that's the athletic director for Notre Dame right there. Ladies and gentlemen, the athletic director for Notre Dame legend Pete Pavaca. We appreciate you. Thank you, guys.
- [54:38]
Kirk Herbstreit
Good luck this weekend.
- [54:39]
Pat McAfee
Good luck, Pete. Yeah. Good luck watching the games. Good luck watching the games. So he was. Yeah, he and I were. We negotiated. He was representing Peacock NBC. He won once. Was the president of the Golf Channel, I think, at one point. And then he moved into being the head of NBC Sports, I think. And then now he's the AD for Notre Dame, doing great job. He's a good suit. He's a good suit. Right, boys? We don't hate it. We don't think he's a bad.
- [55:02]
Ty Schmidt
No, not at all.
- [55:03]
Tone (Tony)
He's a good suit.
- [55:04]
Kirk Herbstreit
So there are good suits?
- [55:05]
Pat McAfee
Hell, yeah. Oh, yeah. You know him. There's only a few.
- [55:08]
Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah.
- [55:08]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yeah.
- [55:09]
Kirk Herbstreit
I just didn't know.
- [55:10]
Pat McAfee
No, no, there's more. There's more than a few. I mean, faucet suit.
- [55:13]
Kirk Herbstreit
Technically, he's faucet.
- [55:14]
Tone (Tony)
I've never seen him wear one.
- [55:16]
Pat McAfee
He's at svp.
- [55:18]
Kirk Herbstreit
He's in.
- [55:19]
Pat McAfee
He is injured a lot.
- [55:20]
Kirk Herbstreit
All the time.
- [55:20]
Pat McAfee
He is injured a lot. This guy's got an ankle brace on right now. What's he doing living a life? I don't know. I have no idea what happened.
- [55:26]
Tone (Tony)
That's soccer.
- [55:26]
Kirk Herbstreit
He's in sweats a lot. I. Is Is.
- [55:28]
Pat McAfee
He's a suit, though. Yeah. He's trying to be the next generation.
- [55:31]
Kirk Herbstreit
Okay.
- [55:32]
Pat McAfee
He has an ankle brace on right now. I saw it in the Telfin it.
- [55:34]
Kirk Herbstreit
All him in Saint Brown.
- [55:39]
Pat McAfee
Saint Foss right here. I mean, that is. That is a wonderful thing. I. I appreciate him joining us, but he's always been good. Like, that's why he should have. And he loves Notre Dame and I appreciate the fact that he's like, Miami's good team. It's not about us. Miami. What are we even talking about? Well, everybody's saying it's about you and Miami. Yeah, yeah.
- [55:56]
Ty Schmidt
Bama.
- [55:57]
Pat McAfee
We're talking about Bama. Yeah.
- [55:58]
Kirk Herbstreit
I feel like they should both be in, like, Notre Dame. Miami.
- [56:01]
Pat McAfee
Big news coming out of the Big Ten. Matt Campbell and Penn State are working toward a deal for him to be the next head coach. There's multiple steps need to finalize. Pete Damos says there's a lot of to get figured out here, but including agreeing to terms and formal approval of cop. So they have. Okay. So Campbell and Penn State are going to get a deal done is what you're saying. Have you agreed to terms? Absolutely not. Do you know how long it's going to be? Nope. Do you know what type of setup it's going to have? Absolutely not. But we're going to do this. Yes, we're going to do this. Congrats to Penn State and congrats.
- [56:32]
Kirk Herbstreit
Nothing against Iowa State, but it's a good hire. I'd love to see Matt Campbell at.
- [56:36]
Pat McAfee
State College, the only higher that I think would have been great. I think it's a great hire for Penn State at this stage of the game. Legitimately.
- [56:42]
Kirk Herbstreit
Close the deal on that. That would be as good a hire in this very volatile coaching carousel. That would be as good a hire that I think's been made.
- [56:51]
Pat McAfee
I wish I was a microphone in a room with Pat Kraft if he gets his deal done. On that note, we appreciate the hell out of you. We'll be back on the other side. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. Listen to Dookie.
- [57:03]
Kirk Herbstreit
See you, boys.
- [57:07]
Pat McAfee
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A.J. Hawk
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Pat McAfee
That's code TPMS on prize picks. To get 50 instantly in site credits.
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A.J. Hawk
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Pat McAfee
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A.J. Hawk
It's good to be right Must be.
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Pat McAfee
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- [58:28]
Nick Saban
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Pat McAfee
Partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by.
- [58:42]
Football.
- [58:44]
A.J. Hawk
It'S what happened last night, right? Pat, what's happening all weekend? We got a beautiful slate of games. Obviously college and NFL coming up. Thanks to Kirk and Peter, right, for joining us that first hour.
- [58:54]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Kirk and Peter, obviously. Peter's always got the juice and the Dogs are going to try to win a big one here tomorrow against Alabama. Championship weekend will be spectacular for college ball game day, 9am tomorrow on ESPN and live on X throughout the entirety of this entire College Football playoff. Should be quite a scene and a vibe as we're down here in Atlanta live from the Convention Center. The SEC Fan Fest at the beginning of the show, not normally that packed. And then as the show continues, it kind of fills up with a bunch of SEC faithful. They are to celebrate this championship game, which obviously two legends will be competing in. And then across the slate up there in Indianapolis, Indiana is going to be the big one. 1 verse 2 Indiana Hoosiers looking to do something that they've never done before. And then the Ohio State Buckeyes looking to maintain their dominance as they're the reigning national champions favorites to win the national championship yet again. And nobody really speaks about them because all they've done is kick everybody's ass. Will they be able to do that to Fernando Mendoza in an Indiana Hoosiers offense that can spin it in A defense. That's great. We shall see. 8:00pm Boots on the ground there, Lucas. So let's go to the toxic table at Boston. Connor, I see you wearing that Mendoza shirt, brother. You feel good about the weekend for the Hoosiers?
- [60:11]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, I feel fantastic. Look, Ohio State circles two things on their calendar and they have two goals every single year is beating Ohio State or, excuse me, beating Michigan and winning the national championship. They don't care about the Big Ten championship. Let's be real here, okay? They already earned a buy. They don't give a shit about this trophy or Banner. IU does, all right? They haven't won this thing since 1967. I believe in these Hoosiers. I'm excited. I mean, I've been. I've been a lifelong fan.
- [60:36]
A.J. Hawk
I've never really heard you talk about Hoosiers till today.
- [60:39]
Connor (Toxic Table)
No, we've waited a long time.
- [60:41]
Pat McAfee
My whole life, brother. He graduated from. Yeah.
- [60:44]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Up in Massachusetts. You know what? Massachusetts, It's a pro sports town and it's a Hoosier town, baby. They all.
- [60:49]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, actually, don't you. Hey, don't you spell it? M, A, S, S, A, C, H, O, O, S, E, T, T, S. Isn't that how you. Isn't it Massa Hoose? It's. I mean, what you guys call it up there because of the Hoosiers.
- [61:03]
Connor (Toxic Table)
You nailed it. Not to mention, I do believe, actually, Sig was conceived in Massachusetts. So throw that into the loop as well. And Sig's name, I mean, as soon as Signetti became a big time coach, I believe Massachusetts thought like, oh, we'll be JMU fans. And then as soon as he went to iu, it was, oh, thank goodness we can go back to the school we've always rooted for, the Hoosiers. I'm very excited for this. I think it is going to be not just the conference championship game of the weekend, but looking back over the past five, 10 years, I think it's going to be the best Big Ten championship they've had in a long, long time. And that's coming off of Penn State. Oregon, which was a great game, but I can't wait for this one. I think it's going to be a great day at ball in Texas Tech. BYU to kick it off at noon, I think is going to be another banger as well.
- [61:49]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I'm very pumped for the college slate. I'm very pumped for the NFL slate. It's going to be a spectacular weekend. Let's go to one half of The Hammer.
- [62:00]
Cowboys AP Tone. 78% of the money, 76% of the bets, 80% of the money all lost last night. Is that what I was watching while saying to myself? Of course, of course, of course. That's all I kept saying throughout the entire game about the Lions being the favorites, even though they didn't look the best the week before. And the line moving to three and a half from three, when all the money was going the other way, felt like the sports books were kind of in their bag. Is that what we just need to understand, Tone, going forward?
- [62:28]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, that was when we were doing the show. It was 78, 77% of the money was. Was on the Cowboys, or. Sorry, I should say 77, 78% of the bet were on the Cowboys. 80% of the money was on the Cowboys. And then it closed. 72% of the bets on the Cowboys and 65% of the money on the Cowboys. So some money came in on the Lions late. We talked about yesterday how the line got better for the Cowboys as the day went on, even though all the money was on them. And they call that reverse line movement in the world, which is, you know, sometimes an indicator that you might be on the wrong side if you're on the same side as all of the money. But Foxy talked about it yesterday. The Lions, 14 straight wins after a loss, 13 and one against the spread after a loss. They've been. They were averaging 35 points per game after a loss. They eclipsed that total last night. They have just been an absolute wagon after a loss. And at home, that's. That's just what Dan Campbell football is.
- [63:27]
Ty Schmidt
These.
- [63:27]
Tone (Tony)
They do not lose two in a row. They always bounce back. That was a great win for the.
- [63:31]
Pat McAfee
Lions last night in plus territory. Last night, the Lions had 29 plays for 216 yards, averaging 7 point yards a clip, 4 for 5 in the red zone. The Cowboys 40 plays, 142 yards at 42 yards, 42 yards at 42 yards, 42 yards. Remix.
- [63:48]
A.J. Hawk
We got a glitch going on.
- [63:50]
We had a little glitch going on.
- [63:51]
Pat McAfee
42, 40.
- [63:52]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yep.
- [63:53]
A.J. Hawk
You kept saying 42 yards over and over and over again. I don't know if you can hear us now or. Oh, yeah, I guess. Pat, we're gonna reconnect with you, buddy. I think it was a situation. We kept remixing.
- [64:02]
Tone (Tony)
That was a good stat.
- [64:04]
A.J. Hawk
It was gonna grab that into the next song, maybe on an album like 40k.
- [64:09]
Connor (Toxic Table)
How do you feel about tomorrow? Like, do you think Ohio State cares as much as really I think they.
- [64:14]
A.J. Hawk
Absolutely care because, I mean, Indiana's like the number one two team. Number two team in the country. I think Ohio State wants to prove that they're number one team.
- [64:21]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah.
- [64:22]
A.J. Hawk
Hey, now, this is. Yeah, I agree. They are good. They do have a lot of respect for Indiana. And Sid, what they have done. Sorry, mine just glitched as well.
- [64:28]
Ty Schmidt
Are you doing.
- [64:29]
Connor (Toxic Table)
But even just thinking about, like, nobody talking about Ohio State all year, like, is that something too? Is where it's like, hey, now is our time. Now is where if we dominate, people will actually talk about us just because it has been one of those situations. Like when Georgia went back to back. Like, hey, we don't have to talk about Georgia all year because they're going to win it in the end. Like, do you think Ohio State has that same type of mindset?
- [64:50]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I think they all feel that. I think they feel like, hey, now, our season has begun. Like, this is, this is what we, we came to do when we started out long ago in winter workouts. Like in winter workouts. They were talking this season and where, hey, when we get to first off, let's go beat Michigan. That's what we want to do. Let's beat them and then we're going to go. And that's when our season truly starts after that. And I think this is part of it.
- [65:10]
Tone (Tony)
This is where I wish that not only the quarterfinals was home games on campuses, because that would make this game so much more important if it was also the semifinal round at home or whatever, because then you're looking at this game would be like for a home field advantage or whatever, one versus.
- [65:30]
A.J. Hawk
They'll change that. They'll tweak that in the future.
- [65:32]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I don't know.
- [65:32]
Pat McAfee
Because I think there's.
- [65:33]
Tone (Tony)
I think there's so much money.
- [65:34]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [65:35]
Tone (Tony)
For those teams.
- [65:36]
A.J. Hawk
Would that help if you might, you get to play at home in second round.
- [65:40]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, it might. But I think, like, because there's so much money.
- [65:45]
For the semifinal game.
- [65:46]
A.J. Hawk
Lose. You lose a home game if you get a buy.
- [65:48]
Tone (Tony)
Yes, yes, you do. And like, I think, like we've asked Saban before, do you wish the next round, the buy round was also home field advantage too? And he said, yes, that would make sense. But like the Rose bowl, the, the Fiesta bowl, all those Bulls, so much, so much money in those Bulls that I, I don't know if it's ever going to happen, but it would be cool if it did well.
- [66:06]
Ty Schmidt
And I know they'll never do it because we're already in the Time where like, hey, we need to have this playoff ranking show for like the four weeks leading up to this. But, but could you imagine like it would make the conference championship still matter if the, if the first ranking show was on Sunday, it was the final one. Because then it's like, guess what? Indiana and O and you know, Ohio State, like this game does still matter a bunch. And I don't know, I mean, like we've been to Ohio State's facility. Like programs like that, like, you know, your most important trophy is the next one. Like they want to add a Big Ten championship to that. But on the flip side, like for Indiana, like this really is, like this would be, you know, the biggest deal for Indiana athletics, like since Bobby Knight was there and they won a national championship. You know, it was a long time.
- [66:51]
Tone (Tony)
And to Ty's point, there has been, I've seen some push on the Internet for it only being one selection show the Sunday after all these games, just.
- [66:59]
Ty Schmidt
What they should do.
- [67:00]
Tone (Tony)
Just like college basketball does it. Because then it also doesn't. Like the committee put out their rankings four or five weeks ago, however, whenever it started or whatever. And then they're kind of pigeonholed. No. Into those initial rankings. Oh, like they can't, like they can't.
- [67:15]
A.J. Hawk
Have someone they want to carry at.
- [67:17]
Tone (Tony)
2 one week and then drop them all the way to 11 or something like that because they put them like it pigeonholes them into these initial rankings where if they only did the one, it's more free flowing. They have all the information, they just put one on at the end and then there's not as much like, yeah.
- [67:32]
Ty Schmidt
You can't contradict yourself with a team like Notre Dame where a couple weeks ago it seemed pretty evident, like, hey, if they beat Stanford in their last game, sure, they're going to get in and that's going to be whatever. Exactly. And then, but, and then, so they don't play. And now like they have to come up with these new formulas. Well, well, this is the reason we had to move them down. And like that is where all the conjecture comes in where people are like, these guys are full of, they're just making this up as they go. They have no idea how to do this. But obviously, you know, you, you need the, you need the programming.
- [68:01]
A.J. Hawk
The Notre Dame argument. Like, so when I first came, like I've been to, okay, hey, head to head, who won? Obviously they lost to Miami.
- [68:07]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Right.
- [68:07]
A.J. Hawk
So Miami gets in. But then when I hear Pete Bavoc, when I think about him, okay, your team from week one until the last game of the season, you grow so much. You are a different team. Most teams are much, much better. Some teams get worse due to injury and whatever things happen. But Notre Dame's definitely much better than they were week one. So I. I understand the argument for sure.
- [68:25]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. No doubt about it. And then even their loss, like, I get the head to head for Miami, but let's look at their other loss. Like Miami's other loss isn't as good as Notre Dame. Barely losing the Texas A and M like that. That's a very, very tough team. Texas A and M basically was a top three team the entire year until they lose in a rivalry game at Texas. So it is such a tough situation. When are they going to get rid of the automatic bids? Is that also a conversation just because it does feel.
- [68:53]
A.J. Hawk
Sounds like Kirk wants that out?
- [68:54]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. The conference championship thing just feels stupid because you know that whoever wins the Big Ten is one of the best teams in the country. Whoever wins the SEC one of the best teams in the country. And then typically, like in Indiana or like Obama, there will be a situation where whoever they're playing isn't the best. One of the best teams in the country.
- [69:12]
Tone (Tony)
But if you. If you listen to what Pete just said, and a lot of people love the five plus 11 model, which will be the five conference champions.
- [69:20]
A.J. Hawk
Okay.
- [69:20]
Tone (Tony)
And then the 11 at largest. So it doesn't feel like those are going to go away anytime soon. If they're talking about going to the 16 team.
- [69:27]
A.J. Hawk
Kirk said they signed an extension. ESPN?
- [69:29]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah. So there was a deadline, I think it was a week or so ago for them for ESPN and the College Football Playoff or whatever to decide if they were going to 16 or not. And that just kind of got pushed back. They just gave an extension to make that decision.
- [69:43]
A.J. Hawk
Okay, good. I think we got things figured out. Pat, what's going on over there, buddy? We got you guys back. Oh, here we go.
- [69:47]
Pat McAfee
Hey. I always appreciate whenever people have to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge their way through some technology and make some good decisions, shout out to Bruce and barcode the entire squad here. Getting us back. Connected. And not just connected. We're at the greatest of all time. A man who has no history in this building, Coach Dick Saban. Yeah, Coach.
- [70:05]
Nick Saban
Thank you.
- [70:05]
Pat McAfee
How you doing, Coach? Okay, Coach. So the big question is, obviously there's a lot of football fans where I live and where AJ Lives that go game day should be at the Big Ten championship this year because Ohio State and Indiana is about to be Insane. Obviously, could have definitely done that. That, in our eyes, would have been spectacular. But I think what people don't understand whenever they come down here is there is an aura around the SEC championship. It's like every year, it does feel like it is the super bowl of the South. And what do you kind of think about whenever you get down here, just from your own personal experiences?
- [70:35]
Nick Saban
Well, I think having played in this game a few times, it's. It's one of the best competitive venues that I've ever been a part of, because the passion that people have in this conference and the support that this game has had, Atlanta's sort of a great place to have it. So this building is a great place to play it. And there's usually two really good, highly ranked teams playing in the game. So there is a lot of history to it. And I don't want to minimize the Big Ten championship because obviously I coach in that league. And that was, you know, really significant. If you could win the Big Ten and to have the number one and number two team playing for the Big Ten championship. I think that's the only time two undefeated teams, one and two, have ever played in that game. That's pretty significant, too. So got great ball.
- [71:23]
Pat McAfee
I think championship weekend is going to live up to the hype.
- [71:26]
Nick Saban
No, no doubt.
- [71:27]
Pat McAfee
Tough decision for game day every week, you would hope. And the fact that we're a part of a show that people want us to be at their game is an honor like that is. You don't just fall to that point. Obviously, what game day has done for all these years is made it a special treat every time we go anywhere. But obviously, being in. Living in Indianapolis would have loved to be. They would have shut the city down. But this place does shut down for the sec. Let's talk about these two teams. Obviously, you know Alabama very well. You're in the building still. You're around Kaylin. The board and the squad that they have feels like what they become through Ty Simpson's arm is a team that could certainly go on a run during the playoff. This Georgia team, though, since losing, you know, to Alabama, have become one of the dominant teams in all of football. Obviously, people talk about Indiana and Ohio State. We just had Pete Baco, the athletic director at Notre Dame, and he said, outside of them, you know, who's really been as hot as Notre Dame has? I guess Georgia would be the team that you could potentially say that. What are your thoughts on the two teams and how they're playing at this exact moment?
- [72:17]
Nick Saban
Yeah, I think Georgia is playing really, really well. I think, you know, since the Bama game, they've made significant improvements on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense. And in the last three games, something that was a little bit of an Achilles heel for them is getting off the field on third down. They've been doing that better. And to me, in the first game, Alabama went 9 for 9 in the first half and got ahead by 14 points by going 9 for 9 on third down, which was a huge difference in the game. So I think that's going to be important, you know, at this time of the year. You know, lots of teams are beat up who can manage and handle from a depth standpoint as well as a mental toughness standpoint. Overcoming adversity at this time of the year, playing in a championship game. This is always a great game and I'm sure it'll be a great game. Ty Simpson has done a great job, you know, all year long. And you know, one of the things that I think is important is, you know, Ty has been leaving the home position to change plays platform and the other team is changing the defense. So that doesn't create any advantage for you by checking the play on offense. So hopefully he'll do a little better job of that this week and that won't be a problem for Alabama's offense.
- [73:37]
Pat McAfee
It sounds like that was a coaching point that you had certainly for Ty Simpson. I don't know if you let it be heard in the building or if right now you're kind of letting it fly and saying, hey Ty, why don't we fucking lose?
- [73:46]
Nick Saban
You know, this is. This is the first place we released that kind of information.
- [73:51]
Pat McAfee
This was Ty need to listen before the SEC championship. Last question for me is just about these championship games as a whole. I mean, we were just in the game day production meeting. Obviously it came up last week. It came up in the off season. It came up. Our championship game is going to lose its lusters. It's going to lose its luster. Kirby and Kaylin aren't telling their teams that the SEC championship hasn't lost its Lester. Right. Like that conversation never happens for the actual teams that are involved. It's just kind of the conjecture around it. Is that accurate?
- [74:19]
Nick Saban
Well, I think there's so much emphasis on the playoffs that, you know, bowl games have been become a lot more insignificant, which they used to be really significant. And I think these championship games because of the, in a way, unfair ramifications that they can have. You got some teams sitting at Home. Not playing in a game that may benefit from a team losing. That is playing in a game which doesn't seem quite exactly right, but it does. Could happen. Will happen, probably, because we'll probably reshuffle the deck a little bit after these championship games. But I do think that it has lost its luster. But let me just say this about this game. Winning the SEC is a really significant accomplishment. It always was to me. It always was to our team. And I don't think that part of it for these two teams has changed at all.
- [75:15]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And their fans. Right? I mean, that's the.
- [75:17]
Nick Saban
Absolutely.
- [75:18]
Pat McAfee
Because Roll. Ty Willie wants to be able to say that he won the SEC championship.
- [75:21]
Nick Saban
That's right.
- [75:22]
Pat McAfee
I mean, there's people all around Georgia that say them dogs won the sec. So I don't want to hear it. That's a big deal.
- [75:27]
Nick Saban
No, it's a big deal. It's a big deal to walk around the SEC in full strut and say, you won the sec.
- [75:34]
Pat McAfee
You guys do that?
- [75:35]
A.J. Hawk
Ever.
- [75:35]
Pat McAfee
Did you ever go full strut? Peacock on him a little bit? Is that just your entire career?
- [75:38]
Nick Saban
You know that's not me.
- [75:42]
Pat McAfee
A.J. any questions for Coach Saban, A.J.
- [75:44]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I do coach the pivot quickly. I know Matt Campbell, I guess Pete Thammel is saying that they're in, you know, they're in talks, and most likely he's going to be the next Penn State coach.
- [75:53]
Pat McAfee
Final stages.
- [75:53]
A.J. Hawk
Final stages. If they figure all of these, all the minutiae.
- [75:57]
Pat McAfee
Listen to this. So hold on, though, A.J. hold on, A.J. i would like to tell Coach Saban this. This is what was reported. They're working towards a deal. There's multiple steps that haven't been finalized yet, like the terms or the compensation or anything like that. Never read anything like this before, but basically just. He's going to be the head coach. Sorry, A.J. just so you know, where we're at right now, they don't know the money. They have no idea the terms. But they both have kind of said to each other, we're going to do this. Go ahead, A.J. i'm sorry, brother.
- [76:25]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, Coach, I just, you know, I'm glad we give Coach the context of it. Like, what would you say as a coach, going from a team like Iowa State, obviously, where you win eight, nine, 10 games a year, people are happy. But Penn State, it's like, okay, how quick is he going to win a national championship? Or how he needs to get there in the first couple of years? What's it like as a coach? I guess when that when you finally take that step to where you're at a place like that, to where, hey, we have to win every game.
- [76:47]
Nick Saban
Well, but I think that, you know, creating that expectation is actually, you know, not favorable to being able to do it, because every time you have a misstep, everybody gets negative on where the program is and what the program can accomplish. And I think the most important thing is to have your administration, your fan base, and everybody stay positive in what you're trying to accomplish and what your goal is. All right, so these places that have, to me, a little bit of unrealistic expectations that we're going to win the national championship, only one team wins the national championship. And there's a lot of competition out there. There's only 12 teams that get in the playoffs, and really only 10 of them, because two of them may not even be ranked high enough to deserve to get in, but in the system, they get in.
- [77:32]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so anyway, so there's the top.
- [77:35]
Nick Saban
10 teams that get in the playoffs, and then you got to win in the playoffs against really good teams, and you got to stay healthy and you got to have a quarterback, and you can't lose the wrong guys at the wrong place at the wrong time. I mean, there's all kinds of factors that go into whether you can finish the season the way you want. So to make that sort of the goal, which is an outcome, we got to win the championship or we're going to get rid of the coach, to me, is totally wrong. And they'll have a hard time doing it if that's the approach that they take. Look, Matt Campbell did a great job at Iowa State because he won more there than most. So that tells you what the potential of the place is and what he was able to accomplish. I'm sure he'll be able to do the same thing at Penn State. But how many times has Penn State won the national championship since we had playoffs and since we had BCS games and all that? I mean, refresh my memory on that. So why is that their standard of excellence?
- [78:28]
Pat McAfee
Well, because they have a lot of money.
- [78:29]
Nick Saban
Good question.
- [78:30]
Pat McAfee
And they won back in the day. They won back in the day.
- [78:32]
Nick Saban
So let's go back to that statement about everything's not been decided. It's not just how much compensation the coach is getting, it's how much money they got to pay the players years.
- [78:42]
Pat McAfee
Which is what Lane Kiffin actually said in his presser, which I think this would be a good time to bring this up for you, actually, because your name has also Been a part of this entire conversation as a mentor for Lane Kiffin, especially alongside Coach Carroll after his dad passed away. OG's in the coaching game have looked out for him, which is a very cool thing. But he said in his press conference, and a lot of people said he was lying. He said, I didn't even know what I was getting paid. I think everybody was going to pay me the same. So I think Lane knew had a gauge that he was going to get paid a lot of money and everybody was going to pay him the exact same. He said his big question was, how much money do we have for the players? And what he said was, LSU clearly had the better setup for what the future is. That's the reality of current college football. Penn State, allegedly, from everything we've been told and what we have seen, they have all of that and they're just, they haven't been able to get a coach signed. And there's been a lot of panic, I think amongst their people having somebody like Matt Campbell, they win this, I think they win the headline line here. Don't you think, with Matt Campbell, don't you think they can at least with their donors and everything that kind of matters?
- [79:37]
Nick Saban
I think absolutely. I think they're getting a great coach who's proven on a consistent basis. You know, he didn't just win one time. He's won consistently at a place that's not a place that people would recognize as someplace you should win all the time.
- [79:51]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, they've been horse hit forever.
- [79:52]
Nick Saban
Volumes of the job he does.
- [79:54]
Pat McAfee
Oh, that's an Iowa fan. That's Ty from Iowa saying Iowa State is horseshit.
- [79:58]
Ty Schmidt
But on they were before he got there.
- [79:59]
Pat McAfee
I think they. I think that is why people are so impressed by Matt Campbell is because like his culture is one of success and it's at a place that I don't think, you know, especially in the modern world, none of us are saying Iowa State's name whenever it comes to nil conversation. 72 and 55, which is damn near 57%. Previous 10 seasons, 4182. Jesus. Okay, before that, before he gets there. So, yeah, they were kind of shite. And then Matt Campbell gets there and they're good. And for Penn State, I think we all thought there was a chance they weren't even gonna have a coach next year. You know, they already missed signing day and allegedly the big deluxe was keeping people away, which. Which I think the big deluxe said, okay, if a car breaks down side road somewhere, blame me. Why am I always the guy that's getting blamed for everything. Well, it's because he's involved with everything, as are you. Okay. In this college football conversation. Have you seen your coaching tree yet? Have you seen. It's the most updated, most, most recent one. Somebody put a tweet out that basically has all your coaches and where they're at right now. It's starting at 12, counting down to one. It's pretty much what it is. Nick Saban's FBS head coaching tree as of November 30th. Got Kirby Smart at Georgia here, Sarka, Texas, Lane Kiffin, lsu, Sigit, Indiana, Lanning, obviously Cristobal, Brent Key, Pete Golding, o', Brien, and you name it. Even all the way down to Butch Jones. I see a gif of him losing his mind all the time. It is truly a beautiful thing. But, like, you're obviously a part of a lot of different conversations and a lot of different storylines and a part of a lot of different people's lives. Lane Kiffin's situation, did you think that was pretty chaotic, even in the scheme of, like, what chaotic situations can be in college football? I don't think I expected it to get as loud and as nasty as it all got at the end. But then after we get through it, I found myself thinking to myself, well, I'm so naive. It was going to get like that regardless. Is that kind of the thought whenever you're talking about, like, hey, this people are going to hate you regardless because it's SEC football? Is that a part of the combo with Lane or any of these guys that have to make these massive decisions?
- [81:53]
Nick Saban
Well, I don't think you can go from one SEC school to another without a whole bunch of people getting pissed off. I mean, that. That's just the fact of the matter. I mean, because you got these passionate fan bases on both sides of the fence, so.
- [82:09]
And anybody that is viewed as somebody who sort of promoted one thing or any the other is probably going to get criticized, too. You know, I have a lot of people calling me, asking me for advice based on, I guess, my experience. And as a human being, I don't care if you're a player, a coach or an administrator, whoever it is, for the love of the game, I'm always going to try to give them the best information that I can. I never tell them what to do. I always just say, what do you want to do? Where can you do it the best? Can you accomplish your goals the best? Where do you have the best opportunity to be successful? What's best for your family. So I don't make anybody's decisions for them. I just try to offer the best advice that I can relative to them being able to accomplish what they want to accomplish.
- [82:56]
Pat McAfee
Why don't you tell them to go call somebody else and kick rocks? You know, why don't you just stay the hell out of it? Coach Saban, okay? We don't need you telling Lane Kiffin to go down to Louisiana. We got a team here in Alabama we're trying to win. And now you're sending Lane Kiffin down to lsu. Watch his. Hang up on him and not give him any advice at all. There's people that think that, well, if.
- [83:20]
Nick Saban
If I did that, though, I mean.
- [83:23]
I wouldn't feel good about myself not helping people who were colleagues of mine who were helped us be successful and created value in what we were able to accomplish. And, you know, you appreciate that and you're loyal to those people who were loyal to you who helped you. So I would have a hard time dealing with that personally. And I think there's a lot of people out there that say, well, what kind of person would be that way that he wouldn't help his colleagues make choices and decisions that are, you know, hopefully going to help them accomplish the goals that they have.
- [83:56]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but which is up to them.
- [83:58]
Nick Saban
Not up to fans or anybody else or me.
- [84:00]
Pat McAfee
You say colleagues. Nobody's really your colleague, bro. Okay. We've all worked in your world. You're breathing different air, which is why everybody would like to hear what you think in this entirety. And the fact that you give back and listen to everybody is good quality, not a bad one. And I think think that situation was insane with the calendar. Obviously we can get into it all. Also how close he was to a national championship with Ole Miss. Don't you think you want to stick it out? What's available at lsu? We'll talk to Lane Kiffin tomorrow. I cannot wait for that. And I'm excited for everybody's the Internet, especially all the Ole Miss fans. Like, wow, it's just going to be a fourth piece for Lane Kiffin. It's like, okay. I mean, we're certainly better ask some hard questions. Yeah, well, I've heard how it's starting. I think there's some. I think there's some real questions. There's some real journalism happening tomorrow from our understanding, from the meeting we just got out of. But also, I think Lane knows some answers on some stuff too, which I think he knows. And then obviously he'll be able to talk about the decision and what he's expecting out of lsu, which if you talk to anybody that's been around ball a long time, they're like, lsu, you got a good thing set up over there. You got a good setup down there, which he will certainly hit on and talk about as well. I think more explanation will be good, but also good conversation at the SEC championship.
- [85:12]
Nick Saban
But, you know, this is. This is a. Based on the calendar and the circumstances in football, it's always difficult when you're a coach. And I've been in this situation before and I absolutely hated it and couldn't sleep at night over it. Where you have an opportunity to go someplace that's maybe better than where you are, maybe not. Maybe you view it as better, maybe not. And you want to be loyal to the team that you have because of what they've done to create the success that has helped you get the opportunity. So you get caught in the rock and a hard place as to how do you make a decision? Because if Lane would have stayed and hired his coach, LSU would have hired somebody else. So he knows he's given up the opportunity if he makes that decision, which is really what he'd love to do because of the loyalty he has to his team. But you can't have both, so. And you're going to get criticized probably either way.
- [86:06]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, not probably definitely. Just because then he was stringing along lsu, then the LSU people would be mad because he was bringing him along if he didn't pick together. I mean, it's a. College football is insane, which is why it's awesome, you know. But it is an insane situation. And the more I learn about it and the more situations I go through, it's like there was no winning, I think, for this one. But I still would like to re. Restate. I was publicly and private privately telling Lane that he should stay at Ole Miss. Me personally, just because I knew that there was potential, a lot of heat coming on the other side of it just by reading the tea leaves of the Internet. But also having the opportunity to be a. I don't want to say a trailblazer, but like somebody that builds a place and builds a town. You obviously know a lot about this Alabama. Not to you, but obviously Bear Bryant was there, but from where they were, whenever you got there to what it became, it's like that's a cool legacy as well. But granted the way he talked about it, LSU was a one of one job. Can't wait to catch up with him tomorrow. Let's pivot go ahead.
- [87:00]
Nick Saban
You know, one thing about this that I think people probably don't see from maybe the perspective. I think sometimes as a coach, you think of you. You said it. You build something, you build a program. All right, so you take over a program that's not so good, whether it's Michigan State, lsu, wherever I basically went, Alabama. And you build it. Well, once you build it and you have success, what's the next challenge? So that was the hard thing for me. You know, I went at Michigan State. I left and went to lsu. I wanted lsu. I went to Miami Dolphins. Then I went back to Alabama. So then when you went in Alabama, when do you get to the place in your life where it's enough and you can just say, okay, every year is like a new job. I'm going to try to sustain this success here, which is much more difficult than building it to start with.
- [87:51]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Chasing is something. Building the mountain is always much more fun than once you get to the top.
- [87:55]
Nick Saban
Once you get to the top. Because now the expectation goes up. Like what we've talked about before at Penn State. The expectation goes up, and then all of a sudden, you become more anxious about being able to sustain that level of success. So sometimes it's easier to just say, day, I'll just go build something someplace else.
- [88:14]
Pat McAfee
A.J. what did Mack Brown tell us that, like, we've remembered since then? Basically, what it got whenever he was at Texas.
- [88:20]
A.J. Hawk
Right. He was more of a relief than, like, joy after a win.
- [88:22]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. And losses were completely devastating.
- [88:25]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah.
- [88:26]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. A win was relief, you know, because you're supposed to win. And then a loss was just devastation. There was never any happiness. So if you're not able to kind of figure out what it is that makes you happy at a place and wait, keep you going, it's like, I guess we can just consider a lot of you college football coaches. You got gypsy souls, man. Got a lot of gypsy souls as you kind of try to move around. And then also, anytime you see an opportunity and then you're given, like, what the max could be? If you're a builder and a creator and things, it's like, oh, I could go do that. And then sometimes you're looking right in front of you, and it's like, we're really close right here, though, you know, like, did we actually complete our goals? That's tough, man. That's a tough thing to do.
- [89:02]
Nick Saban
Yeah. But to Mack Brown's point, how do you enjoy accomplishing something when the expectation is you were supposed to accomplish it? And Dominate it before you ever did it. So how does it not become relief just to win a game? And the only joy is when you accomplish the goal of winning the championship or whatever, which is the expectation.
- [89:25]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And then that's for what, 20 minutes?
- [89:27]
Nick Saban
Exactly.
- [89:28]
Pat McAfee
And then what, we gotta recruit, we gotta do this again next year. And then it's on. That is why you having the dog mentality of always wanting to better and get better at the same place is very rare. Which is why everybody's asking for your opinions. But when you give opinions, people aren't going to like to hear that you're maybe sending somebody to lsu. Now, let's talk about college ball a little bit. You know, the seat. You're a bad guy. This guy, terrible guy. This guy did nothing for Alabama. This guy did nothing for Alabama. I'm joking. That's what I did. See you, you were taking some heat on the Internet, which I don't like because you're, you're, you're Nick Saban. You're the guy that we would all pick to put in as President of the United States if you would ever let us. You are some guy.
- [90:10]
Nick Saban
But I, I did not make a decision for him.
- [90:12]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, right.
- [90:15]
Nick Saban
All right, so, but. So you think I wouldn't have been catching hell on the Internet if I'd have said stay at all this?
- [90:21]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you're right.
- [90:22]
Nick Saban
I mean, there's no you fans are going to get on your ass for saying that.
- [90:25]
Pat McAfee
Me?
- [90:25]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah.
- [90:26]
Pat McAfee
No, they like me because I go, hey.
- [90:30]
You remember the channel?
- [90:31]
Nick Saban
Oh, yeah. Now you're in the music business, huh? How about that?
- [90:36]
Pat McAfee
We are doing all right. Let's move along. Let's get back to the college football business. Ty Schmidt has a question for you, Coach.
- [90:41]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, coach, we talked about this a little bit with you last year and I understand coaches don't think like this and neither to players. But with the current model and the way it's get set up, do you think any coach is maybe thinking like, hey, that five seed is kind of where we want to be. I understand. We want to go undefeated. You want to be the number one seed. But you look at last year, Oregon, you know, they get the buy and then they get the doors blown off of them by Ohio State. Whereas this year they're sitting at 5. And there's a very good chance that, you know, if they play a, a two lane or in North Texas, no disrespect to either one of them, but Oregon's going to be like a four touchdown favorite in that game. And it maybe gives them the opportunity to kind of get hot at the right time. So if you're coaching a team, like, would you almost. Do you think the buy is almost a detriment in this current model that we're in, or is that still the end all, be all?
- [91:33]
Nick Saban
No, I think last year the buy was a detriment because most of the teams that had buys didn't perform very well. But I think the, the real key is, you know, where is your team right now? If your team's playing really well and you got momentum, which you've created by playing well because you earn your own momentum, then do you really want to buy or not? Would you rather keep playing and build on that momentum? If your team's all beat up and you got a bunch of guys hurt up at this time of the year and some time off would be beneficial, then I think having a bye week is probably a good thing. So I think the circumstance determines whether it's a good or bad thing based on where your team is. But I think that most, a lot of coaches have to really examine how do we get ready for a game when we have all this time off?
- [92:23]
Pat McAfee
A lot of time.
- [92:24]
Nick Saban
I think, you know, that's one of the things. I mean, you can look at my record when I was at Michigan State, we went to what, four bowl games. We got the line and kicked out of our ass and every one of them because I tried to practice from the season to the bowl game. And by the time we got to that, players are so tired of practicing. I mean, psychologically, they just wanted to get it over with. And then I started making it when I went to lsu. This is a one game season, so we're not practicing maybe for two or three weeks. Players just work out, lift weights, have seven on, seven on their own. Every now and then, coaches aren't around them. And then we're going to practice 11, 12 times before the game and that's it. And then we started winning because everybody was looking forward to it and all that. So how you manage that time off, you know, sometimes less is more, but as coaches, you think the more you practice, the better you're going to get. Sometimes it doesn't work, not at this time of year.
- [93:20]
Pat McAfee
It's such a crazy philosophy, especially for the goat to say, it's like actually whenever we were practicing more, we got worse, so we need to stop practicing. Almost make them think they have like a little mini off season, right? They're getting. And then they'll be excited to get the pads back on and kind of get back into work. That was what you said psychologically, you saw from your team.
- [93:37]
Nick Saban
That's right. And we won when we did that, and we lost when we did it the other way.
- [93:41]
Pat McAfee
Did you ever win here? Did you ever win this game?
- [93:44]
Nick Saban
I remember the one we lost here in 2008 to Tebow when we had a young team, second year at Alabama, but a bunch of dogs on that.
- [93:55]
It is all freshmen.
- [93:57]
Pat McAfee
You talk about Mack Brown saying, if you win, it's a relief. If you lose, it's devastating. I don't know how many you've won here. I assume eight or nine or something like that. And then you go, yeah, I remember the one we lost. Tim Tebow, asshole, that guy. I'll never forget it. Like that's your first memory, which is why you are who you are. Speaking of, you are who you are. You've created billions of dollars in NFL revenue for your player. There's a guy up in Detroit who has changed and transformed the way their team plays. Go ahead, con man.
- [94:24]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, Coach. You recruited Jameer Gibbs, got him to transfer from Georgia Tech, I believe, in the 2022 season. What was it like coaching a player like that? Was he, you know, as electric as some of the other dudes that you've had? I mean, you've had Heisman winners, but Gibbs himself right now is taking over the NFL. He actually just became the quickest or most touchdowns before or in his first three seasons. Yeah, there is. Before turning 24. He also, I believe, passed Randy Moss for the most touchdowns in the first few seasons of his career, as well as another stat. But what was it like having Jameer Gibbs and what. What do we not know about him as a player or the person that you kind of got to experience that season?
- [95:09]
Nick Saban
Right. Well, you know, I was surprised that when we looked at Jameer Gibbs when he was at Georgia Tech, I saw this guy that had this great ability to make you miss. And probably one of the most important facets of being a great running back is to make a cut and get to full speed. How fast can you get to full speed out of a lateral cut? This guy can do it as well as anybody I know. They compare him to Barry Sanders, and he made a lot of guys miss. And I played against him, and he made a lot of our guys miss. But that's what Jameer Gibbs can do. He's tough, he's a great person, he's a great receiver. And this guy can just do it all. And he's Making people miss. He runs behind his pads even though he's not a great big guy, but he's hard to tackle. And he's got great acceleration in burst and speed out of a cut, which I think makes him unique in terms of his skill set, what he can do as a complete player in this offense. And you got to give the Lions credit it because they use the guy the right way. They get him the ball the right way.
- [96:11]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, they give him the ball a lot. And also they have another running back, Monty, who had a big night, but Jameer Gibbs, clearly becoming a separator on offense. So fast, so explosive, so dynamic, so cool. Do you like the number 0? You like number 0 on them or no?
- [96:26]
Nick Saban
You know, I'm not big on what number they wear when they can score touchdowns like he does, so it doesn't matter to me. I mean, he could have no number, number.
- [96:37]
Pat McAfee
Coach, you're the absolute greatest. We appreciate you, man. Thank you for welcoming us here to your SEC championship. It's an honor to be down here.
- [96:44]
Nick Saban
Well, it's, it is an honor and there's a lot of memories that go into this place and you know, one of them was when I first came to the SEC in 2000. Roy Kramer was the conference commissioner and he had been a very successful coach and at Central Michigan of all places, you know, in Michigan in the Mid American Conference and even before when they weren't in the Mid American Conference. And he was very, very successful. But this guy is a legend in terms of being an old fashioned football guy. I mean, he watched high school games right up until he's 96 years old. He's still watching high school games. You know, he's still going and very involved in the game. And you know, I always say they don't make them like they used to. I don't think they make very many of them like Roy Kramer.
- [97:35]
Pat McAfee
Well, rest in peace to Roy Kramer. Thank you for your services to football and to life. He was the creator of the BCS. Roy Kramer created the BCS. He was a commissioner for 11 years. Obviously ball coach elsewhere. And I believe today he was announced. Passed away recently.
- [97:52]
Nick Saban
Yeah, today.
- [97:52]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. So rest in peace. Sorry about, about that. Hey, sorry about that.
- [97:55]
Nick Saban
Appreciate it, man.
- [97:56]
Pat McAfee
We are very thankful that you join us every single week. And tomorrow should be electrifying as you pick Georgia to beat your Alabama team.
- [98:04]
Nick Saban
Right.
- [98:04]
Pat McAfee
You're going to call the dogs and say, dad, to hell with Alabama. Just like I sent Lane Kiffin down to lsu. I was sick of Alabama having success. Is that what you're gonna do?
- [98:14]
Nick Saban
What do they call it when they take toilet paper and throw it all over your trees at your house?
- [98:18]
Ty Schmidt
Tp.
- [98:19]
Pat McAfee
Tp.
- [98:20]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [98:20]
Nick Saban
Yeah. Is that what you're trying to get?
- [98:23]
Pat McAfee
No. No, I would never want. I would never want that. Or eggs like they did to Petulo, allegedly, up there in New Jersey and Philadelphia for the Eagles. But we appreciate the hell out of you, coach. Hell of a year out of you. You've crushed it this year. You know that?
- [98:35]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Hell, yeah, Coach.
- [98:35]
Nick Saban
Fun. I enjoy it. And being alongside of you is. Brings out the best in me. I got to say that.
- [98:41]
Pat McAfee
I do wonder what's going through your head sometimes. Like the shout up there in Eugene. You getting up and dancing. Getting. Getting down low. A lot of people said, wow, Good knees on saving. He got down there low for the shell, then he turned it back up. I appreciate you riding in there. You do. You ride in there, and I appreciate that.
- [98:56]
Nick Saban
But, see, I wouldn't do that with anybody else but you.
- [99:00]
Pat McAfee
Ms. Terry.
- [99:00]
Nick Saban
You. You. Yeah, Ms. Terry.
- [99:03]
Pat McAfee
Ms. Terry's here, by the way. Happy Thanksgiving, Ms. Terry. Happy holidays. She gave us a gift. He's playing accordion. Oh, accordion on the Christmas card. Looks awesome. Wait. You look like a real music. What was that about, Coach? What was that about? What was that eye roll?
- [99:17]
Nick Saban
Coach, I guarantee you. I guarantee you that I did not approve. That Christmas card.
- [99:24]
Was today, all right? There's no way that shit's going public.
- [99:29]
A.J. Hawk
Do you play the accordion? You play the accordion?
- [99:31]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I did.
- [99:32]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, wow.
- [99:32]
Nick Saban
My grandma Saban made us all learn how to play accordion when we're kids. One of the reasons that I started playing ball when I was nine years old was to get out of going to accordion lessons.
- [99:42]
Pat McAfee
Okay? So now the fact that you know the accordion, I might need you on the next song. I might need you on. I might need you on another song in this entire thing. Hold on. I think we got it here, actually. Let's go ahead and zoom in on that down there. And.
- [99:57]
Stanford Steve
Oh, yes.
- [99:58]
Pat McAfee
Y. So that is the.
- [99:59]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Hell, yeah.
- [100:00]
Ty Schmidt
Yes.
- [100:02]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I don't know if I. Focus.
- [100:05]
A.J. Hawk
Keep it coming. How many dogs do you have?
- [100:09]
Pat McAfee
That's him on the accordion. That's unbelievable work out of you. And look at Ms. Terry. Absolutely crushing it. As we should have expected. How many different photos were taken here? And how long does it take to piece together here? What were you playing?
- [100:20]
Nick Saban
I had nothing to do with it.
- [100:21]
Pat McAfee
What?
- [100:22]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Don't lie.
- [100:24]
Pat McAfee
Don't lie. Coach, what are you talking about? Merry Christmas, jolly old Saint Nick. I thought that Was the entire oh.
- [100:30]
Nick Saban
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everybody. But you don't see me playing. Playing according to Enjoy yourself.
- [100:35]
Pat McAfee
I need you on my next song. I need you on my next song. Is that possible? Let's do that.
- [100:39]
Nick Saban
Absolutely.
- [100:41]
Pat McAfee
What's the sound?
- [100:45]
That's a sound, right?
- [100:46]
Nick Saban
That's it.
- [100:47]
Pat McAfee
I need that on the next song. There's a man, ladies and gentlemen, coach Nick Saber.
- [100:52]
A.J. Hawk
Coach. I could see him playing the harmonica too.
- [100:55]
Ty Schmidt
Oh, yeah, one.
- [100:56]
A.J. Hawk
Maybe he gets the one that has.
- [100:57]
Ty Schmidt
Like the, like the Bob Dylan one. You can hold the accordion too.
- [101:00]
A.J. Hawk
He's playing the accordion and then everyone's like. And bop down and play that harmonic.
- [101:03]
Tone (Tony)
Have you seen the video of him playing the sax with the Blues Brothers shades and hat on Nick Saban? Yeah, it's unbelievable.
- [101:10]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I actually have not.
- [101:11]
A.J. Hawk
Is that a real thing or are you just being tone right.
- [101:13]
Tone (Tony)
Thought I saw that somewhere.
- [101:14]
Ty Schmidt
Are you thinking of when Bill Clinton.
- [101:15]
A.J. Hawk
Went on Arsenio hall played the Saxophone like in 1993?
- [101:20]
Tone (Tony)
Maybe.
- [101:20]
Kirk Herbstreit
Maybe I am.
- [101:21]
Ty Schmidt
I think you all.
- [101:21]
Tone (Tony)
Maybe I am.
- [101:22]
A.J. Hawk
With that being said, Fox, we pop up the playoff predictions. I guess you're the Ramys for the NFL games on this late here. So, okay, explain what this actually exactly is.
- [101:31]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Right. So number on the left for the teams is if they win, if the Colts win, they got an 86% chance to make the playoffs across the board. You see how that works on the other side is if they lose, if the Jags lose, they still have a pretty good chance because they have tiebreakers with a lot of the other wild card teams. But the other real games that are that matter here, if you look at it, Steelers and Chiefs, both of them need to win. If they lose, it is pretty detrimental to them making a run at the big dance. So I know Tony is not shaking in his boots because he's pretty confident in Rogers this weekend, but definitely a must win for Pistol. I would.
- [102:05]
A.J. Hawk
Tone, honestly, you've kind of flip flop. You were down the dumps, you know.
- [102:08]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, I took my time, you know.
- [102:09]
A.J. Hawk
On suicide watch for a couple days. But then you came around. It feels like you're back on board with the Steelers.
- [102:13]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [102:14]
Tone (Tony)
You know that this I, I came and I chose to be positive. You know, I was tired of the negativity surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and the cloud that was hanging over my head. So I, I, I thought about it and you know, we're playing for first place on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, who also haven't looked good and you know, if we win, we got the keys to the driver's seat to win the AFC north, so.
- [102:34]
A.J. Hawk
Okay, yeah, fair enough. Pat, how about, how about Coach Saban with the accordion? You're definitely getting him on at least one song.
- [102:41]
Pat McAfee
The slate is packed for the NFL there with a lot of ramies and Coach Saban on the accordion for the next song, which is Oops. Is coming out, I think in like a week or so. And then there's like, like five other ones that are coming. I mean, we got, this is just awesome. I don't want to get into it, but this is just the tip of the dookie here, you know, And I, I, I think as we kind of settle in, it's certainly going to become an enjoyable experience and we appreciate everybody playing it. But talking to Coach Saban there on the way out, he was like, hey, you were trying to get the number on how many I won here. We're 18 and one in this building. He said, I won 17 straight here. 17 straight. 10 championships.
- [103:14]
A.J. Hawk
And you said, well, you probably eight or nine of them. Didn't you know how pissed he probably was in his head? But he's like, I'm too humble to say 10 championships.
- [103:21]
Pat McAfee
Thanks. 18 and one in this building. On the way out here, he said that, he said you were trying to pull the number at this building. 18 and one here. I said, who? And he goes, our teams. We're very 17 straight here. Tim Tebow is the only one. Tim Tebow is the only guy that got literally the first thing he thought about there.
- [103:36]
Connor (Toxic Table)
And he's got 11 total.
- [103:39]
Pat McAfee
11 total SEC championship.
- [103:40]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. So one of them just wasn't in that building.
- [103:44]
Pat McAfee
LSU probably, right?
- [103:45]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Oh, I'm not sure. Probably because the, the stadium wasn't built right.
- [103:49]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, he was national champion there. I assume they won the SEC championship as well there because nobody talks about the SEC championship from lsu. They only talk about the national championship from lsu. And also I guess conversation is he loved his time down at lsu. Hey, let's go ahead and put some of our, let's make our Sunday slate picks here, AJ shall we? As we wrap up this glorious feel good dookie. Friday, December 5, 2025 Duke available on all streaming platforms. It's an outrageous thing to even say that.
- [104:17]
Indianapolis colts favored by 1 1/2 down there in Deval. Listen, the Jacksonville Jaguars are a boogeyman, if you would, to the Indianapolis Colts, especially down there. When their team is ass, they beat us down there. When their team is good, they beat us down there. So the thought of them ruining this season and continuing our Loss with them is certainly feasible. Impossible. But I like the Indianapolis Coats. I like what Danny Dimes is going to be doing second week with a fractured fibula playing. He's going to be a little bit more understanding of the situation. Give me the Indianapolis Colts, favored by one and a half down there.
- [104:51]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, boy. Yeah. Hey, I love the Indianapolis Colts as well. I love what they're doing. I'm in. I'm in their city right now, but I'm going Jags on this one, man. I do not like Danny Dimes having to limp around. The dude's a warrior. And Adam Schefter's acting like it's a hairline fracture or it's nothing. Oh, everybody would play through this. No, he's. He's a monster. He's playing through something. But give me the Jags, you get him at plus.
- [105:09]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, that's incredibly painful. I do believe. What can we get? You can get them at what?
- [105:13]
Tone (Tony)
You can get the Jags at plus two.
- [105:15]
A.J. Hawk
I'll take that.
- [105:17]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Jeez.
- [105:18]
Pat McAfee
Can I get. All right. Minus one and a half. Yeah, there's a.
- [105:23]
A.J. Hawk
Are they practicing the chest pass?
- [105:24]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Dr. Pepper?
- [105:25]
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
- [105:25]
Connor (Toxic Table)
No, I think they're doing the Coke Zero Chest Pass right now.
- [105:29]
Pat McAfee
Wow. It's still. We thought maybe code zero was coming in, but it is still the Dr. Pepper tuition chest.
- [105:37]
A.J. Hawk
Did they tell them you got to throw it one handed at least?
- [105:39]
Stanford Steve
No.
- [105:41]
A.J. Hawk
Why?
- [105:41]
Ty Schmidt
It's the chest pass competition.
- [105:43]
A.J. Hawk
No, it's not.
- [105:44]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but remember, the reason why the chest pass started is because somebody couldn't throw it and then they went in. Now they're like a doctor or something. I forget what it is. Obviously this is a part of it. And if they're going to be walked through the whole thing, that is awesome for us to have. Have to deal with here. And there's a lot of people that is. Hey, it's different down here. It's just different down here. Bengals traveling to take on the Buffalo Bills. Interesting story coming out of Buffalo new stadium is basically going to be sold out every single week just from season ticket sales or season licensing sales in the entirety. The Buffalo Bills faithful are excited for their new stadium and the Buffalo Bills fan base is obviously spectacular. Would that be enough for them to win by at least six as they host the Buffalo or Cincinnati Bengals team that had a massive prime time Thanksgiving win over the Baltimore Ravens. Who do you think, A.J. how do you like it, man?
- [106:30]
A.J. Hawk
Bill's at home. That was initially lean in Bills, but, man, watching Joe Burrow, you know, breathe some life back into this team. I'm gonna take the Bengals on this.
- [106:38]
Tone (Tony)
T. Higgins is back as well.
- [106:41]
Pat McAfee
Okay. Can their defense stop Josh Allen and them? I guess they did great against Baltimore Ravens. Give me. Can we get them a plus six? Six or no?
- [106:48]
Tone (Tony)
You could get the Bengals plus six or Bills minus five and a half.
- [106:54]
Pat McAfee
I'll get. Give me the Bills minus five and a half. New Orleans Saints take it on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bucks favored by eight and a half at home. New Orleans Saints, obviously a team that has been playing better than we thought. Even though they're still not good, we thought they were going to be completely ass. Bucks favored by eight and a half at home. AJ who do you like? How do you like it? And Tone, do we have any other line?
- [107:15]
Tone (Tony)
Eight and a half across the board.
- [107:16]
A.J. Hawk
Okay, I like the. I like Tampa Bay Bucks at home. Give me bake in the crew to eight and a half. Feels like a lot, but I think they figured out me too.
- [107:24]
Pat McAfee
Let's go to the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC north rivalry of all rivalries. The Baltimore Ravens used to be the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh Steelers hated them in Cleveland. Then they go to Baltimore. They hate them there this year. Both fan bases are waiting to bury the their respective teams upon a loss this weekend. Neither team. Neither team's fan base, I would say, believe that their team can win a Super bowl. And that's what we're in this whole thing for. Tone Diggs, how do you feel here just a couple days removed from the massive rivalry of the Steelers and Ravens taking place?
- [107:57]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, I think I should let everyone know first that the dog in this matchup when it's Tomlin versus Harbaugh is 26, 6 and 3 against the spread. So normally the dog, it's always a close game. So normally the dog covers in this one, but the last two, the Ravens have covered seven and a half and nine and a half because they've been able to run it down the Steelers throats. I don't see anything different on Sunday. I think the Ravens will win easily.
- [108:23]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so you're trying to reverse jinx this thing. It feels like AJ who do you like? How do you like it?
- [108:28]
A.J. Hawk
So I heard Lamar got stepped on. Missed a practice Wednesday. But he's back.
- [108:31]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, he's back.
- [108:32]
A.J. Hawk
Yep, doing fine. That could be very painful. Give me the Steelers here, man. I think they find a way to keep super close.
- [108:40]
Pat McAfee
All right, I'll take the Ravens. I'll bite. It doesn't feel like that should be the case at all. Especially with how they played, favored by five and a half. That feels like a lot of points in this particular rivalry. Everything kind of stinks a little bit. Yeah, a little dicky. So I'll take the Ravens just like last night. Seahawks, Falcons, Seahawks. Good on the road. Road warriors actually favored by seven heading down into this beautiful stadium which will play host as the Falcons are at home. Aj, who do you like? How do you like it?
- [109:07]
A.J. Hawk
I like. I like Seattle, man. I like Sam Darnold, Seattle and what they are doing. Their defense I think is sneaky good as well. So give me the Seahawks.
- [109:14]
Tone (Tony)
It's actually a six and a half.
- [109:15]
Pat McAfee
I believe. I'm frozen on your side. Am I frozen? You guys are completely frozen on my screen, so.
- [109:20]
Connor (Toxic Table)
No, you're good.
- [109:22]
Pat McAfee
Okay. Good, good, good, good, good. It's great to be here, boys. It's great to be here, boys. I like the Seattle Seahawks with whatever one we can get. Miami Dolphins favored by 2 1/2 going in take on the New York football Jets. I like everything I'm seeing from Aaron Glenn, even through his challenge flag. In a cool way, NFL films released a little footage of him dropping that thing with a little pizzazz and then talking a little bit of. Maybe they're finding their culture over there. Is there any other lines we need to know about this one?
- [109:47]
Tone (Tony)
Tone, you get the jets at plus three or the Dolphins minus two and a half.
- [109:51]
Pat McAfee
Okay, aj, who do you like? How do you like it?
- [109:54]
A.J. Hawk
I've gone back and forth on this one, but. But I like what Aaron Glenn's got going on. Give me the jets plus three here.
- [110:00]
Pat McAfee
AJ's been great at picking games. I have not been. So the fact that I'm just seeing so many differently than him does alarm me. But give me the Miami Dolphins even though it's going to be cold in New York. Give me the Jazz.
- [110:12]
I will take the Jazz.
- [110:13]
Connor (Toxic Table)
This is a something's got to give game. Their stats are coming out. Tua, undefeated against the Jets. Tua in under 40 degree weather hasn't won a game. So it is a something's going to happen where a team will win a game that they haven't ever.
- [110:28]
Pat McAfee
I'll take the jets plus 3. I completely forgot about the Miami Dolphins team whenever they travel north of the Mason Dixon line in the winter. Tennessee Titans traveling into Cleveland. I like the Cleveland Browns no matter what they're favored by, especially at home.
- [110:42]
A.J. Hawk
Yep, I like the Browns as well. Miles Garrett going to try to set the sack record, get four or five.
- [110:47]
Pat McAfee
Washington Commander taking on we can get that at three and a half, you said? Yep, we will certainly do that. Washington Commanders taking on the Minnesota Vikings. What's the health status, boys of the Washington Commanders and the Minnesota Vikings?
- [111:00]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Jaden Daniels is a go. Yep. It just got announced that he will start Sunday versus the Vikings. And I also believe J.J. mcCarthy passed concussion protocol. Not sure if that's good or bad, but I guess he is. I guess he is going to just. Just go out there and spin that thing is what he said. And Coach O' Connell and Josh McCown basically told him like, hey, don't worry about, you know, playing to a T perfectly. Just go out and spin it.
- [111:27]
Pat McAfee
I'll take Jaden over nine. A.J. how about you? Yep.
- [111:30]
A.J. Hawk
Same as you. Commanders.
- [111:32]
Pat McAfee
Denver Broncos, seven and a half. Is there any other lines, Tone?
- [111:36]
Tone (Tony)
They are. Sorry, I'm scrolling down. Broncos. You can get them seven. You can actually get them at seven if you want it.
- [111:42]
Pat McAfee
Okay. A.J. you want them at minus seven?
- [111:45]
A.J. Hawk
Yep. I love the Broncos here. Minus seven.
- [111:47]
Pat McAfee
Me too. Bears, Packers. Tyler, I'm taking the Packers.
- [111:51]
A.J. Hawk
Before you you ask me, I'm taking a pack here at home.
- [111:54]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Wow.
- [111:55]
Pat McAfee
Okay. AJ Said, I don't care what the number is. Give me the Green Bay Packers. Micah Parsons coming out and saying they got no respect. I don't respect them either. I hate them. I like that it's a real rivalry. The Bears have a real team this year. So do the package Packers. Ty Schmidt, you like being favored by six and a half or no?
- [112:11]
Ty Schmidt
That seems a little high to me just with how well the. The Bears are playing. I do still think the packers are going to win. They're hoping to get a couple guys back who have been out the last couple weeks. I think playing at Lambeau is a massive advantage. I just. I could see this being a field goal game. I don't know if it is going to be six and a half, but yeah, as you see there, it is going to be frigid at Lambeau on Sunday.
- [112:35]
Pat McAfee
How's Ben Johnson done against the floor?
- [112:39]
Ty Schmidt
Pretty. Pretty good. Like the. The Lions over the last few years.
- [112:43]
A.J. Hawk
They don't love each other.
- [112:44]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, they don't know that. But the Lions over the last few years have really kind of taken it to the Packers.
- [112:51]
Pat McAfee
Give me D. Bears. Okay, now, how many points am I getting?
- [112:55]
A.J. Hawk
Six and a half.
- [112:56]
Stanford Steve
Six and a half?
- [112:57]
Pat McAfee
No more?
- [112:58]
Tone (Tony)
No, but it I.
- [113:00]
Pat McAfee
Nowhere.
- [113:01]
A.J. Hawk
That's way too many anyway. Come on.
- [113:02]
Connor (Toxic Table)
The Bears should feel disrespectful against Eagles.
- [113:06]
Pat McAfee
All right, let's go to the Rams and the Cardinals. I like the Rams, minus eight and a half. Minus eight, Whatever we can get as they travel out to beautiful Phoenix. We absolutely love them. The public is also on the Rams, no matter what the spread would be against the Cardinals. And I'll wake up the next day feeling good, taking the Rams. How do you feel, A.J. in this one?
- [113:25]
A.J. Hawk
I think the Rams are still one of the best football teams in the NFL. So give me the Rams here.
- [113:30]
Pat McAfee
Coming off a loss too, you know, to the Panthers, maybe Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay have their thing. And then the Houston Texans. That's good football team. CJ Stroud knocking off the rust. The defense, the Houston sack station's a problem. The Chiefs in the middle of a dynasty, are they going to be able to find it? They're favored by three and a half at home. AJ who do you like? How do you like it?
- [113:50]
A.J. Hawk
Honestly, I like the Houston Texans here. I know they're underdogs in Kansas city. I like C.J. stroud. He's doing. And obviously the Houston D will continue to play well.
- [113:59]
Pat McAfee
I like the Kansas City Chiefs a lot. This is Travis Kelsey's flannel. I've worn it a couple times because it's kept me very, very comfortable in like the 30 to 50 degree weather range. He is a beast. I appreciate the hell out of him. And Mahomes and Jones. Give me the Houston Texans. That's a good football team. Representing the AFC south, getting three and a half points. We'll continue digitally. Stanford Steve will stop by to wrap up some of the college football conferences conversation. We'll hit all the other storylines and then we'll go into a greatest weekend of college football and NFL football that we've had all season. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice might change your life. Play Dookie. Goodbye. I think I got it in there.
- [114:36]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Oh, yeah.
- [114:38]
Pat McAfee
All right. I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick. They might be done with this. I'm kind of feeling it. And then Stanford Steve will be up here and boys, let's enjoy the hell out of what we're about to do. This is a great weekend of ball right now.
- [114:50]
Ty Schmidt
Hell, yeah.
- [114:50]
Pat McAfee
I mean, the more. The closer we get to it, the more excited I'm getting for it all. And don't feel obligated to play Dookie, but kind of though. And also get creative. Get creative with Dookie. Get creative out there. I can't wait to see what you do. Obviously, we'll be doing giveaways and fun for everything and yeah, let's take a Break, stand, Receive it. Be on the other side. AJ I appreciate you so much for driving over to Indy, brother.
- [115:12]
A.J. Hawk
Of course. Easy. I enjoy it. Enjoy coming in here, seeing the Thunderdome, and. Yeah, it's always fun, man.
- [115:18]
Pat McAfee
Have you heard that since the last time you've been there and then the time before that and the time before that? Foxy and I still have yet to lose.
- [115:24]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, you guys are still winning like that?
- [115:25]
Pat McAfee
We're on quite the run, really, Bruce?
- [115:29]
A.J. Hawk
Not quite. Bruce was a clutch shooter when I played a couple weeks ago.
- [115:32]
Ty Schmidt
Downtown Bruce Brown.
- [115:33]
Nick Saban
Bruce.
- [115:34]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Downtown Bruce Brown, who is our only book. Yeah, not only that, but he also changed to a right push shot in the middle of the game if the lefty one's not fallen, which he ended up doing to us yesterday, which is obviously a sign you're not going to win the game. And him and Connor kind of had that. But Bruce is the only insider in the game who also participates in the league in which he is the insider. So we appreciate what Bruce does for journalism, for U ball and also for the game. But Foxy hit our first walk off the other day because normally we shoot first, so we're always on defense to end the game. So, D. Butch and Bone. Well, who was it? Con man. D Butts and Connor. D. Butts and Connor, first time together. Very tough. Very tough team. They beat us then, now we go to championship game, right? Vegas shoot first and we're shooting last. It gets to 11, 10. Foxy, last shot. So they win. They have 11 points already. Foxy shooting with 10. Our first ever time ever, really doing this. Foxy steps up, banks it home. Sends it home. Not Banks at home. Hits off the back of the rim, sends it home, and full bang. Oh, boom. Oh, I lost my. What a moment. Connor. Connor was not exactly thrilled. Neither was, but. But it has been getting very intense. And I'm gonna be honest, I don't know how long the game's gonna last, but it feels good winning Foxy. Way to go, brother. I'm very proud of what you've been doing. I would say that was by far and away our best day of U ball as an office as a whole. Those two games. Deba. In the first game when they beat us, that was also a walk off. So, yeah, it was incredible.
- [117:07]
Connor (Toxic Table)
We're just on.
- [117:08]
Pat McAfee
We're on quite the run. Bruce, what is the insider business saying about U ball right now? We.
- [117:14]
Stanford Steve
We played a fun game. Debone and I were looking like the Cincinnati Bengals on the defensive end, so got to clean that Up. But yeah, you know, just looking to grow the game, keep the integrity of the game intact as much as possible.
- [117:25]
Pat McAfee
Okay. And Connor, what are your thoughts as we sit here? When you were just one jumper from Foxy away from being the champion of U ball and getting that bedazzled little ball that's been sitting over there on my desk for the last couple months, moved over to the toxic table.
- [117:40]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I mean, it was a good debut for D Bud and I thought, first game we've ever played together, we took you guys to the ropes. But the champs are the chance for a reason. You got to bury him when you got the chance. You can't just kind of pitter patter to the end, you know, he didn't play great on defense, didn't make enough shots. And maybe next week me and D Bud will have another chance.
- [117:57]
Pat McAfee
Connor and Butts, good team. That's good. That's good U ball team. That's a good U bolt team. There are some teams that really scare you, AJ and especially guys that can play on offense and defensive side and also know strategy a little bit. It's. Yeah, there's some good teams out there and we're going to stay focused. We're. We're 18 and one in that building and we're going to try to continue that, AJ and are you playing today? Have you played?
- [118:23]
A.J. Hawk
I don't know if I'll play today, but I believe me and Bruce. Bruce hit a walk off against you and Foxy like a month ago when I played.
- [118:29]
Stanford Steve
No, it was Friday, so it wasn't against them. Oh, yeah, but we are undefeated either way.
- [118:34]
A.J. Hawk
Bruce had a walk off.
- [118:36]
Pat McAfee
Just know that.
- [118:37]
A.J. Hawk
No, no, I was wearing a wig. You had to walk off on Halloween. It was against you and Foxy. Yes. Yeah, obviously I understand it get. Everything gets. If Bruce hits a walk off, it gets shoved under the rug, but Bruce did it. Good job, Bruce.
- [118:50]
Pat McAfee
He's the insider. He's supposed to be.
- [118:51]
A.J. Hawk
He shouldn't record it.
- [118:52]
Ty Schmidt
You're right.
- [118:52]
A.J. Hawk
You got to put that out, Bruce. That's on you.
- [118:54]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I mean, how am I supposed to know if it happened against me if he doesn't put it out? I mean, what do we even. What do we even talk?
- [118:59]
A.J. Hawk
Just like Satan telling you 18 1.
- [119:02]
Pat McAfee
Hey, yeah, by the way, never lost one time. So that's it.
- [119:06]
A.J. Hawk
I own this place.
- [119:07]
Pat McAfee
So go ahead and tell him whatever you talk about. 10 championships in this thing. I mean, think about him walking on here. Just, God, welcome to my stadium, is how he should feel. And we'll Go ahead and celebrate that tomorrow.
- [119:24]
Hi there. Surprise. 30 for 30 presents.
- [119:28]
Nick Saban
Booyah.
- [119:29]
Pat McAfee
Can I get a witness?
- [119:32]
A.J. Hawk
You can't stop authenticity.
- [119:34]
Pat McAfee
Booyah. Stuart was exactly like you saw him on camera. Off camera, he dialed it up 10%.
- [119:40]
Nick Saban
Can you imagine? Imagine the impact of young black boys.
- [119:43]
Pat McAfee
And girls looking at that going, I feel seen. He changed the culture. He changed sports.
- [119:48]
A.J. Hawk
Booyah.
- [119:49]
Pat McAfee
Presented by Modelo premieres on December 10th at 9pm Eastern on ESPN. Talk about stepping up.
- [119:58]
Kirk Herbstreit
It's time to level up your game.
- [120:00]
Pat McAfee
Introducing the all new ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place, your home for the most live sports.
- [120:07]
Kirk Herbstreit
And the best championship moments.
- [120:09]
Ty Schmidt
The electricity is palpable.
- [120:11]
Pat McAfee
Step up your game.
- [120:12]
Nick Saban
With no annual contract required.
- [120:14]
Kirk Herbstreit
It's the ultimate fan experience.
- [120:17]
Stanford Steve
Level up.
- [120:17]
Pat McAfee
For more on the ESPN app or at stream espn.com Sign up now.
- [120:28]
A.J. Hawk
Welcome in hour two of the Pat McAfee Show. I'm A.J. hawk sitting in for Pat here in Indianapolis. He's in Atlanta. Big SEC championship game tomorrow, boys. Made a big first hour.
- [120:40]
Pat McAfee
Football, football.
- [120:42]
A.J. Hawk
It's what happened last night, right, Pat? What's happening all weekend? We got a beautiful slate of games. Obviously college and NFL coming up. Thanks to to Kirk and Peter, right, for joining us that first hour.
- [120:52]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Kirk and Peter, obviously. Peter's always got the juice and the dogs are going to try to win a big one here tomorrow against Alabama. Championship weekend will be spectacular for college ball game day. 9am tomorrow on ESPN and live on X throughout the entirety of this entire college football playoff. Should be quite a scene and a vibe as we're down here in Atlanta live from the convention center, the SEC Fan fest at the beginning of the show, not normally that packed. And then as the show continues, it kind of fills up with a bunch of SEC faithful there to celebrate this championship game which obviously two legends will be competing in. And then across the slate up there in Indianapolis, Indiana is going to be the big one. 1 verse 2 Indiana Hoosiers looking to do something that they've never done before. And then the Ohio State Buckeyes looking to maintain their dominance as they're the reigning national champions favorites to win the national championship yet again. And nobody really speaks about them because all they've done is kick everybody's ass. Will they be able to do that to Fernando Mendoza in an Indiana Hoosiers offense that can spin it in a defense? That's great. We shall see. 8:00pm Boots on the ground there, Lucas. So let's go to the toxic table at Boston. Connor, I see you wearing that Mendoza shirt Brother, you feel good about the weekend for the Hoosiers?
- [122:09]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, I feel fantastic. Look, Ohio State circles two things on their calendar and they have two goals every single year is beating Ohio State or, excuse me, beating Michigan and winning the national championship. They don't care about the Big Ten championship. Let's be real here, okay? They already earned a buy. They don't give a shit about this trophy or banner. IU does, all right? They haven't won this thing since 1967. I believe in these Hoosiers. I'm excited. I mean, I've been. I've been a lifelong faith.
- [122:34]
A.J. Hawk
I've never really heard you talk about today.
- [122:37]
Connor (Toxic Table)
No.
- [122:37]
Pat McAfee
We waited a long time. My whole life, brother.
- [122:40]
Connor (Toxic Table)
He graduated up in that.
- [122:41]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [122:42]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Up in Massachusetts. You know what Massachusetts is? It's a pro sports town. And it's a Hoosier town, baby.
- [122:47]
Pat McAfee
They all. Yeah, actually, don't you. Hey, don't you spell it? M, A, S, S A C, H, O, O, S, E, T, T, S. Isn't that how you. Isn't it Massa Hoos it. Isn't that what you guys call it up there because of the Hoosiers?
- [123:01]
Connor (Toxic Table)
You nailed it. Not to mention, I do believe, actually Sig was conceived in Massachusetts, so throw that into the loop as well. And Sig's name, I mean, as soon as Signetti became a big time coach, I believe Massachusetts thought like, oh, we'll be JMU fans. And then as soon as he went to iu, it was, oh, thank goodness we can go back to the school we've always rooted for, the Hoosiers. I'm very excited for this. I think it is going to be not just the conference championship game of the weekend, but looking back over the past five, 10 years, I think it's going to be the best Big Ten championship they've had in a long, long time. And that's coming off of Penn State. Oregon, which was a great game, but I can't wait for this one. I think it's going to be a great day at ball in Texas Tech. BYU to kick it off at noon, I think is going to be another banger as well.
- [123:47]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I'm very pumped for the college slate. I'm very pumped for the NFL slate. It's going to be a spectacular weekend. Let's go to one half of The Hammer.
- [123:58]
Cowboys. AP Tone. 78% of the money, 76% of the bets, 80% of the money all lost last night. Is that what I was watching while saying to myself, of course, of course, of course. That's all I kept saying throughout the entire game about the Lions being the favorites, even though they didn't look the best the week before. And the line moving to three and a half from three when all the money was going the other way, felt like the sports books were kind of in their bag. Is that what we just need to understand, Tone, going forward?
- [124:26]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, that was when we were doing the show. It was 78, 77% of the money was. Was on the Cowboys, or. Sorry, I should say 77, 78% of the bets were on the Cowboys. 80% of the money was on the Cowboys. And then it closed. 72% of the bets on the Cowboys and 65% of the money on the Cowboys. So some money came in on the Lions late. We talked about yesterday how the line got better for the Cowboys as the day went on, even though all the money was on them. And they call that reverse line movement in the world, which is, you know, sometimes an indicator that you might be on the wrong side if you're on the same side as all of the money. But Foxy talked about it yesterday. The Lions, 14 straight wins after a loss. 13 and 1 against the spread after a loss. They've been. They were averaging 35 points per game after a loss. They eclipsed that total last night. They've just been an absolute wagon after a loss. And at home, that's. That's just what Dan Campbell football is these. They do not lose two in a row. They always bounce back. That was a great win for the lions last night.
- [125:31]
Pat McAfee
In plus territory. Last night, the Lions had 29 plays for 216 yards, averaging 7 point yards a clip. 4 for 5 in the red zone. The Cowboys 40 plays 142 yards at 42 yards, at 42 yards. At 42 yards at 42 yards.
- [125:45]
A.J. Hawk
Remix. We got a glitch going on.
- [125:48]
We had a little glitch going on.
- [125:50]
Pat McAfee
42, 40.
- [125:50]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yep.
- [125:51]
A.J. Hawk
You kept saying 42 yards over and over and over again. I don't know if you can hear us now or. Oh, yeah, I guess. Pat, we're going to reconnect with you, buddy. I think it was a situation. We kept remixing.
- [126:00]
Tone (Tony)
That was a good stat.
- [126:01]
Connor (Toxic Table)
That was cool.
- [126:02]
A.J. Hawk
It was incredible. The next song may be on an album like 40k.
- [126:07]
Connor (Toxic Table)
How do you feel about tomorrow? Like, do you think Ohio State cares as much as. Really?
- [126:12]
A.J. Hawk
I think they absolutely care because, I mean, Indiana is like the number one, two. Number two team in the country. I think Ohio State wants to prove that they're number One team.
- [126:19]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah.
- [126:20]
A.J. Hawk
Hey, that makes. Now this is. Yeah, I agree. They are good. They do have a lot of respect for Indiana and sick what they have done. Sorry, mine just glitched.
- [126:26]
Ty Schmidt
Are you doing.
- [126:27]
Connor (Toxic Table)
But even just thinking about like nobody talking about Ohio State all year, like, is that something too? Is where it's like, hey, now is our time. Now is where if we dominate, people will actually talk about us just because it has been one of those situations like when Georgia went back to back. Like, hey, we don't have to talk about Georgia all year because they're going to win it in the end. Like, do you think Ohio State has that same type of mindset?
- [126:48]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I think they all feel that. I think they feel like, hey, now our season has begun. Like, this is, this is what we, we came to do when we started out long ago in winter workouts. Like in winter workouts. They were talking a lot this season and where, hey, when we get to do, first off, let's go beat Michigan. That's what we want to do. Let's beat them and then we're going to go. And that's when our season truly starts after that. And I think this is part of it.
- [127:08]
Tone (Tony)
This is where I wish that not only the quarterfinals was home games on campuses because that would make this game so much more important if it was also the semifinal round at home or whatever. Because then you're looking at this game would be like for a home field advantage or whatever, one versus.
- [127:28]
A.J. Hawk
They'll change that. They'll tweak that in the future. I don't know.
- [127:30]
Tone (Tony)
Because I think there's, I think there's so much money.
- [127:32]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [127:33]
Tone (Tony)
For those 16 teams.
- [127:34]
A.J. Hawk
Would that help if you might, you get to play at home in the second round.
- [127:38]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, it might. But I think, like, because there's so much money.
- [127:43]
For the semifinal game, lose.
- [127:44]
A.J. Hawk
You lose a home game if you get a buy.
- [127:46]
Tone (Tony)
Yes.
- [127:46]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah.
- [127:47]
Tone (Tony)
Yes, you do. And like, I think like we've asked Saban before, do you wish the next round, the buy round was also home field advantage too? And he said yes, that would make sense. But like the Rose bowl, the, the Fiesta bowl, all those Bulls, so much, so much money in those Bulls that I, I don't know if it's ever going to happen, but it would be cool if it did.
- [128:04]
Nick Saban
Well.
- [128:04]
Ty Schmidt
And I know they'll never do it because we're already in the time where like, hey, we need to have this playoff ranking show for like the four weeks leading up to this. But could you imagine, like it would make the conference championship still matter. If the, if the first ranking show was on Sunday, it was the final one because then it's like, guess what? Indiana and O and you know, Ohio State, like this game does still matter a bunch. And I don't know, I mean like we've been to Ohio State's facility like, like programs like that, like, you know, your most important trophies, the next one, like they want to add a Big Ten championship to that. But on the flip side, like for Indiana, like this really is, like this would be, you know, the biggest deal for Indiana athletics like since Bobby Knight was there and they won a national championship. You know, it was a long time.
- [128:49]
Tone (Tony)
And to Ty's point, there has been, I've seen some push on the Internet for it only being one selection show the Sunday after all these games, just.
- [128:57]
Ty Schmidt
What they should do.
- [128:58]
Tone (Tony)
Just like college basketball does it. Because then it also doesn't. Like the committee put out their rankings four or five weeks ago, however, whenever it started or whatever. And then they're kind of pigeonholed. No into those initial rankings. Like they can't, like they can't have.
- [129:14]
Pat McAfee
Someone they want to carry at 2.
- [129:15]
Tone (Tony)
One week and then drop them all the way to 11 or something like that because they put them like it pigeonholes them into these initial rankings where if they only did the one, it's more free flowing. They have all the information, they just put one out at the end and then there's not as much like, yeah.
- [129:30]
Ty Schmidt
You can't contradict yourself with a team like Notre Dame where a couple weeks ago it seemed pretty evident like, hey, if they beat Stanford in their last game, they're going to get in and that's going to be whatever. Exactly. And then, but, and then, so they don't play. And now like they have to come up with these new formulas. Well, well, this is the reason we had to move them down. And like that is where all the conjecture comes in where people are like, these guys are full of shit. They're just making this up as they go. They have no idea how to do this. But, but obviously, you know, you need the programming so it's not going to happen.
- [130:00]
A.J. Hawk
The Notre Dame argument, like, so when I first came, like, I've been to the, okay, hey, head to head, who won? Obviously they lost to Miami, right? So Miami gets in. But then when I hear Pete Bavoca and I think about him, okay, your team from week one until the last game of the season, you grow so much. You are a different team. Most teams are much, much better Some teams get worse due to injury and whatever things happen, but Notre Dame's definitely much better than they were week one. So I. I understand the argument.
- [130:23]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, no doubt about it. And then even their loss, like, I get the head to head for Miami, but let's look at their other loss. Like Miami's other loss isn't as good as Notre Dame. Barely losing the Texas A and M like that. That's a very, very tough team. Texas A and M basically was a top three team the entire year until they lose in a rivalry game at Texas. So it is such a tough situation. When are they going to get rid of the automatic bids? Is that also a conversation just because.
- [130:50]
A.J. Hawk
It does feel as though Kirk wants that out?
- [130:52]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. The conference championship thing just feels stupid because you know that whoever wins the Big Ten is one of the best teams in the country. Whoever wins the SEC one of the best teams in the country. And then typically, like in Indiana or like a Bama, there will be a situation where whoever they're playing isn't the best. One of the best teams in the country.
- [131:10]
Tone (Tony)
But if you. If you listen to what Pete just said, and a lot of people love the five plus plus 11 model, which will be the five conference champions.
- [131:18]
Nick Saban
Okay.
- [131:18]
Tone (Tony)
And then the 11 at largest. So it doesn't feel like those are going to go away anytime soon. If they're talking about going to the.
- [131:25]
A.J. Hawk
16 team, Kirk said they signed an extension. ESPN.
- [131:27]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah. So there was a deadline, I think it was a week or so ago for them for ESPN and the College Football Playoff or whatever to decide if they were going to 16 or not. And that just kind of got pushed back. They just gave an extension to make that decision.
- [131:41]
Nick Saban
Okay, good.
- [131:41]
A.J. Hawk
I think we got things figured out. Pat, what's going on over there, buddy? We got you guys back. Oh, here we go.
- [131:45]
Pat McAfee
Hey. I always appreciate whenever people have to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge their way through some technology and make some good decisions, shout out to Bruce and Barcode the entire squad here. Getting us back. Connected. And not just connected. We're at the greatest of all time. A man who has no history in this building. Coach Dick Saban. Yeah, coach.
- [132:03]
Nick Saban
Thank you.
- [132:03]
Pat McAfee
How you doing, Coach? Okay, Coach. So the big question is, obviously there's a lot of football fans where I live and where AJ Lives that go game day should be at the Big Ten championship this year because Ohio State and Indiana is about to be insane. Obviously, could have definitely done that. In our eyes, would have been spectacular. But I think what people don't understand, whenever they come down here is there is an aura around the SEC championship. It's like every year, it does feel like it is the super bowl of the South. And what do you kind of think about whenever you get down here, just from your own personal experiences?
- [132:33]
Nick Saban
Well, I think having played in this game a few times, it's. This is one of the best competitive venues that I've ever been a part of, because the passion that people have in this conference and the support that this game has had. Atlanta's sort of a great place to have it. So this building is a great place to play it. And there's usually two really good, highly ranked teams playing in the game. So there is a lot of history to it. And I don't want to minimize the Big Ten championship because obviously I coach in that league, and that was, you know, really significant. If you could win the Big Ten and to have the number one and number two teams playing for the Big Ten championship, I think that's the only time two undefeated teams, one and two, have ever played in that game, that's pretty significant, too. So got great ball.
- [133:21]
Pat McAfee
I think championship weekend's gonna live up to the hype.
- [133:24]
Nick Saban
No doubt. No doubt.
- [133:25]
Pat McAfee
Tough decision for game day every week, you would hope. And the fact that we're a part of a show that people want us to be at their game is an honor like that is. You don't just fall to that point. Obviously, what game day has done for all these years has made it a special treat every time we go anywhere. But obviously, being in. Living in Indianapolis would have loved to be. They would have shut the city down. But this place does shut down for the sec. Let's talk about these two teams. Obviously, you know Alabama very well. You're in the building still. You're around Kaylin, the board and the squad that they have feels like what they become through Ty Simpson's arm is a team that could certainly go on to run during the playoff. This Georgia team, though, since losing, you know, to Alabama, have become one of the dominant teams in all of football. Obviously, people talk about Indiana and Ohio State. We just had Pete Baco, the athletic director at Notre Dame, and he said, outside of them, you know, who's really been as hot as Notre Dame has? I guess Georgia would be the team that you could potentially say that. What are your thoughts on the two teams and how they're playing at this exact moment?
- [134:15]
Nick Saban
Yeah, I think Georgia is playing really, really well. I think, you know, since the Bama game, they've made significant improvements on both Sides of the ball, but especially on defense. And in the last three games, something that was a little bit of an Achilles heel for them is getting off the field on third down. They've been doing that better. And to me, in the first game, Alabama went 9 for 9 in the first half and got ahead by 14 points by going 9 for 9 on third down, which was a huge difference in the game. So I think that's going to be important, you know, at this time of the year. You know, lots of teams are beat up who can manage and handle from a depth standpoint as well as a mental toughness standpoint. Overcoming adversity at this time of the year, playing in a championship game. This is always a great game and I'm sure it'll be a great game. Ty Simpson has done a great job, you know, all year long. And you know, one of the things that.
- [135:13]
I think is important is, you know, Ty has been leaving the home position to change plays platform and the other team is changing the defense. So that doesn't create any advantage for you by checking a play on offense. So hopefully he'll do a little better job of that this week and that won't be a problem for Alabama's offense.
- [135:36]
Pat McAfee
Sounds like that was a coaching point that you had certainly for Ty Simpson. I don't know if you look, let it be heard in the building or if right now you're kind of letting it fly and saying, hey Ty, why.
- [135:43]
Nick Saban
Don'T we, you know, this is, this is the first place we released that kind of information.
- [135:49]
Pat McAfee
This was Ty need to listen before the SEC championship. Last question for me is just about these championship games as a whole. I mean, we were just in the game day production meeting. Obviously it came up last week. It came up in the off season. It came up. Our championship game is going to lose its luster. Is it's going to lose its luster. Kirby and Kaitlyn aren't telling their teams that the SEC championship hasn't lost its luster. Right. Like that conversation never happens for the actual teams that are involved. It's just kind of the conjecture around it. Is that accurate?
- [136:17]
Nick Saban
Well, I think there's so much emphasis on the playoffs that, you know, bowl games have been become a lot more insignificant which they used to be really significant. And I think these championship games because of the, in a way unfair ramifications that they can have. You got some teams sitting at home not playing in a game that may benefit from a team losing, that is playing in a game which doesn't seem quite exactly Right. But it does. Could happen. Will happen, probably, because we'll probably reshuffle the deck a little bit after these championship games. But I do think that it has lost its luster. But, but let me just say this about this game. Winning the SEC is a really significant accomplishment. It always was to me. It always was to our team. And I don't think that part of it for these two teams has changed at all.
- [137:13]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And their fans. Right? I mean, that's the.
- [137:15]
Nick Saban
Oh, absolutely.
- [137:16]
Pat McAfee
Because Roll Ty. Willie wants to be able to say that he won the SEC championship.
- [137:19]
Nick Saban
That's right.
- [137:20]
Pat McAfee
I mean, there's people all around Georgia say them dogs won the sec. So I want to hear it. That's a big deal.
- [137:25]
Nick Saban
No, it's a big deal. It's a big deal to walk around the SEC in full strut and say, you won the sec.
- [137:32]
Pat McAfee
You guys do that ever? Do you ever go full struck peacock on them a little bit? Is that just your entire career?
- [137:36]
Nick Saban
You know, that's not me.
- [137:40]
Pat McAfee
A.J. any questions for Coach Saban? A.J.
- [137:42]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I do.
- [137:43]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Coach.
- [137:43]
A.J. Hawk
To pivot quickly. I know Matt Campbell, I guess Pete Thamel is saying that they're in. They're in talks and most likely he's going to be the next Penn State coach. Stages, final stages. If they figure all of these, all the minutiae out, I guess.
- [137:55]
Pat McAfee
Listen to this, though. Hold on, though, A.J. hold on, A.J. i would like to tell Coach Saban this. This is what was reported. They're working towards a deal. There's multiple steps that haven't been finalized yet, like the terms or the compensation or anything like that. Never read anything like this before, but basically just he's going to be the head coach. Sorry, A.J. just so you know, where we're at right now, they don't know the money. They have no idea the terms, but they both have kind of said to each other, we're going to do this. Go ahead, A.J. i'm sorry, brother.
- [138:22]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, Coach. I'm glad we give coach the context of it. Like, what would you say as a coach going from a team like Iowa State, obviously, where you win eight, nine, 10 games a year, people are happy. But Penn State, it's like, okay, how quick is he going to win a national championship or how he needs to get there in the first couple years? What's it like as a coach? I guess when that, when you finally take that step to where you're at a place like that, to where, hey, we have to win every game.
- [138:45]
Nick Saban
Well, but I think that, you know, creating that Expectation is actually, you know, not favorable to being able to do it. Because every time you have a misstep, everybody gets negative on where the program is and what the program can accomplish. And I think the most important thing is to have your administration, your fan base and everybody stay positive in what you're trying to accomplish and what your goal is. Alright, so these places that have to me a little bit of unrealistic expectations that we're going to win the national championship. Only one team wins a national championship and there's a lot of competition out there. There's only 12 teams that get in the playoffs and really only 10 of them, because two of them may not even be ranked high enough to deserve to get in, but in the system, they get in.
- [139:30]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so anyway, so there's the top.
- [139:33]
Nick Saban
10 teams that get into playoffs and then you got to win in the playoffs against really good teams and you got to stay healthy and you got to have a quarterback and you can't lose the wrong guys at the wrong place at the wrong time. I mean, there's all kinds of factors that go into whether you can finish the season the way you want. So to make that sort of the goal, which is an outcome, we got to win the championship or we're going to get rid of the coach, to me, is totally wrong. And they'll have a hard time doing it if that's the approach that they take. Look, look, Matt Campbell did a great job at Iowa State because he won more there than most. So that tells you what the potential of the place is and what he was able to accomplish. I'm sure he'll be able to do the same thing at Penn State. But how many times has Penn State won the national championship since we had playoffs and since we had BCS games and all that? I mean, refresh my memory on that. So why is that, their standard of excellence?
- [140:26]
Pat McAfee
Well, because they have a lot of money and they won back in the day. They won back in the day.
- [140:30]
Nick Saban
So let's go back to that statement about everything's not been decided. It's not just how much compensation the coach is getting, it's how much money they got to pay the players, which.
- [140:40]
Pat McAfee
Is what Lane Kiffin actually said in his presser, which I think this would be a good time to bring this up for you, actually, because your name has also been a part of this entire conversation as a mentor for Lane Kiffin, especially alongside Coach Carroll after his dad passed away. OGs in the coaching game have, have looked out for him, which is a A very cool thing. But he said in his press conference and a lot of people said he was lying. He said, I don't even know what I was getting paid. I think everybody was going to pay me the same. So I think Lane knew had a gauge like he was going to get paid a lot of money and everybody was going to pay him the exact same. He said his big question was, how much money do we have for the players? And what he said was, LSU clearly had the better setup for what the future is. That's the reality of current college football. Penn State 11. Allegedly, from everything we've been told and what we have seen, they have all of that and they're just. They haven't been able to get a coach signed. And there's been a lot of panic, I think amongst their people having somebody like Matt Campbell. They win this, I think they win the headline here. Don't you think with Matt Campbell, don't you think they can at least with their donors and everything that kind of matters?
- [141:35]
Nick Saban
I think absolutely. I think they're getting a great coach who's proven on a consistent basis. You know, he didn't just win one time. He's won consistently at a place that's not a place that people would recognize. Recognize as someplace you should win all the time.
- [141:49]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, they've been horse hit forever.
- [141:50]
Nick Saban
Volumes of the job he does.
- [141:52]
Pat McAfee
Oh, that's an Iowa fan. That's Ty from Iowa saying Iowa State is horseshit.
- [141:56]
Ty Schmidt
But on they were before he got there.
- [141:59]
Pat McAfee
I think that is why people are so impressed by Matt Campbell is because like his culture is one of success and it's at a place that I don't think, you know, especially in the modern world. None of us are saying Iowa State's name whenever it comes to nil conversation. 72 and 55, which is damn near 50, 57%. Previous 10 seasons 41, 82. Jesus. Okay, before that. Before he gets there. So, yeah, they were kind of shite. And then Matt Campbell gets there and they're good. And for Penn State, I think we all thought there was a chance they weren't even gonna have a coach next year. You know, they already missed signing day and allegedly the big deluxe was keeping people away, which. Which I think the big deluxe said, okay, if a car breaks down side road somewhere, blame me. Why am I always the guy. God, that's getting blamed for everything. What's. Because he's involved with everything, as are you. Okay, in this college football conversation. Have you seen your coaching tree yet? Have you seen it's the most updated, most recent one. Somebody put a tweet out that basically has all your coaches and where they're at right now, it's starting at 12. Counting down to one is pretty much what it is. Nick Saban's FBS head coaching tree as of November 30th. Got Kirby Smart at Georgia here, Sarka, Texas, Lane Kiffin, lsu, Sigit, Indiana, Lanning, obviously Cristobal, Brent Key, Pete Golding, o', Brien, and you name it. Even all the way down to Butch Jones. I see a gif of him losing his mind all the time. It is truly a beautiful thing. But, like, you're obviously a part of a lot of different conversations and a lot of different storylines and a part of a lot of different people's lives. Lane Kiffin situation Did you think that was pretty chaotic? Even in the scheme of, like, what chaotic situations can be in college football? I don't think I expected it to get as loud and as nasty as it all got at the end. But then after we get through it, I found myself thinking to myself, well, I'm so naive. It was going to get like that regardless. Is that kind of the thought whenever you're talking about, like, hey, this people are going to hate you regardless because it's SEC football. Is that a part of the combo with Lane or any of these guys that have to make these massive decisions?
- [143:51]
Nick Saban
Well, I don't think you can go from one SEC school to another without a whole bunch of people getting picked up. I mean, that. That's just the fact of the matter. I mean, because you got these passionate fan bases on both sides of the fence. So.
- [144:07]
And anybody that is viewed as somebody who sort of promoted one thing or any of the other is probably going to get criticized, too. You know, I have a lot of people calling me, asking me for advice based on, I guess, my experience. And as a human being, I don't care if you're a player, a coach or an administrator, whoever it is, for the love of the game, I'm always going to try to give them the best information that I can. I never tell them what to do. I always just say, what do you want to do? Where can you do it the best? Can you accomplish your goals the best? Where do you have the best opportunity to be successful? What's best for your family? So I don't make anybody's decisions for them. I just try to offer the best advice that I can relative to them being able to accomplish what they want to.
- [144:54]
Pat McAfee
Why don't you tell them to go call somebody else and kick rocks. You know, why don't you. Why don't you stay the hell out of it, Coach Saban, okay? We don't need you telling Lane Kiffin to go down to Louisiana. We got a team here in Alabama we're trying to win. And now you're sending Lane Kiffin down to lsu. Why don't you just hang up on them and not give him any advice at all much. There's people that think that, well, if.
- [145:18]
Nick Saban
I did that, though, I mean.
- [145:21]
I wouldn't feel good about myself not helping people who were colleagues of mine who were. Helped us be successful and created value in what we were able to accomplish. And, you know, you appreciate that and you're loyal to those people who were loyal to you, who helped you. So I would have a hard time dealing with that person personally. And I think there's a lot of people out there that say, well, what kind of person would be that way that he wouldn't help his colleagues make choices and decisions that are, you know, hopefully going to help them accomplish the goals that they have? Yeah, but you're not up to fans or anybody else or me.
- [145:58]
Pat McAfee
You say colleagues. Nobody's really your colleague, bro. Okay. We've all worked in your world. You're breathing different, different air. Which is why everybody would like to hear what you think in this entirety. And the fact that you give back and listen to everybody is good quality, not a bad one. And I think that situation was insane with the calendar. Obviously, we can get into it all. Also how close he was to a national championship with Ole Miss. Don't you think you want to stick it out? What's available at lsu? We'll talk to Lane Kiffin tomorrow. I cannot wait for that. And I'm excited for everybody's the Internet, especially all the Ole Miss fans. Like, wow, this is just going to be a fourth piece for Lane Kiffin. It's like, okay. I mean, we're certainly better ask some hard questions. Yeah, well, I've heard how it's starting. I think there's some. I think there's some real question. There's some real journalism happening tomorrow from our understanding, from the meeting we just got out of. But also, I think Lane knows some answers on some stuff, too, which I think he knows. And then obviously he'll be able to talk about the decision and what he's expecting out of lsu, which if you talk to anybody that's been around ball a long time, they're like, lsu, you got a good thing set up. Over there. You got a good setup down there, which he will certainly hit on and talk about as well. I think more explanation will be good, but also good conversation at the SEC championship.
- [147:10]
Nick Saban
But, you know, this is. This is a. Based on the calendar and the circumstances and in football, it's always difficult when you're a coach. And I've been in this situation before and I absolutely hated it and couldn't sleep at night over it, where you have an opportunity to go someplace that's maybe better than where you are, maybe not. Maybe you view it as better, maybe not. And you want to be loyal to the team that you have because of what they've done to create the success that has helped you get the opportunity. So you get caught in the rock and a hard place as to how do you make a decision? Because if Lane would have stayed and hired his coach, LSU would have hired somebody else. So he knows he's given up the opportunity if he makes that decision, which is really what he'd love to do because of the loyalty he has to his team. But you can't have both, so. And you're going to get criticized probably either way.
- [148:04]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, not probably definitely. Just because then he was stringing along lsu, then the LSU people would be mad because he was stringing them along if he didn't pick together. I mean, it's a. College football is insane, which is why it's awesome, you know, but it is an insane, insane situation. And the more I learn about it and the more situations I go through, it's like there was no winning, I think, for this one. But I still would like to re. Restate. I was publicly and privately telling Lane that he should stay at Ole Miss. Me personally, just because I knew that there was potential, a lot of heat coming on the other side of it just by reading the tea leaves of the Internet. But also having the opportunity to be a. I don't want to say a trailblazer, but like somebody that built a place and builds a town. You obviously know a lot about this Alabama. Not to you, but obviously Bear Bryant was there. But from where they were whenever you got there to what it became, it's like that's a cool legacy as well. But granted the way he talked about it, LSU was a one of one job. Can't wait to catch up with him tomorrow. Let's pivot. Go ahead.
- [148:58]
Nick Saban
You know, one thing about this that I think people probably don't see from maybe the perspective. I think sometimes as a coach, you think of you. You said it. You built Something. Something. You build a program. All right? So you take over a program that's not so good, whether it's Michigan State, lsu, wherever I basically went, Alabama. And you build it. Well, once you build it and you have success.
- [149:22]
What'S the next challenge? So that was the hard thing for me. You know, I won at Michigan State. I left and went to lsu. I won at lsu. I went to Miami Dolphins. Then I went back to Alabama. So then when you went in Alabama, when do you get to the place in your life where it's enough?
- [149:38]
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
- [149:39]
Nick Saban
And you can just say, okay, every year is like a new job. I'm gonna try to sustain this success here, which is much more difficult than building it to start with.
- [149:49]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Chasing is something. Building the mountain is always much more fun than. Once you get to the top.
- [149:53]
Nick Saban
Once you get to the top. Because now the expectation goes up. Like what we've talked about before at Penn State. The expectation goes up, and then all of a sudden, you become more anxious about being able to sustain that level of success. So sometimes it's easier to just say, I'll just go build something someplace else.
- [150:12]
Pat McAfee
AJ what did Mac Brown tell us that, like, we've remembered since then? Basically, what it got whenever he was at Texas.
- [150:18]
A.J. Hawk
Right. He was more of a relief than, like, joy after a win.
- [150:20]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. And losses were completely devastating.
- [150:23]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah.
- [150:24]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. A win was relief, you know, because you're supposed to win, and then a loss was just devastation. There was never any happiness. So if you're not able to kind of figure out what it is that drive makes you happy at a place and wait. Keep you going, it's like, I guess we can just consider a lot of you college football coaches. You got gypsy souls, man. Got a lot of gypsy souls as you kind of try to move around. And then also, anytime you see an opportunity and then you're given, like, what the max could be if you're a builder and a creator and things like, like, oh, I could go do that. And then sometimes you're looking right in front of you, and it's like, we're really close right here, though, you know, like, did we actually complete our goals? That's tough, man. That's a tough thing to do.
- [151:00]
Nick Saban
Yeah. But to. To. To Mac Brown's point, how do you enjoy accomplishing something when the expectation is you were supposed to accomplish it and dominate it before you ever did it? So how does it not become relief just to win? Couple a game? And the only joy is when you accomplish the goal of winning the championship or Whatever, which is the expectation.
- [151:23]
Pat McAfee
And then that's for what, 20 minutes?
- [151:25]
Nick Saban
Exactly.
- [151:26]
Pat McAfee
And then what? We gotta recruit, we gotta do this again next year, and then it's on. That is why you having the dog mentality of always wanting to better and get better at the same place is very rare. Which is why everybody's asking for your opinions. But when you give opinions, people aren't going to like to hear that you're maybe sending somebody to LA issue. Now, let's talk about college ball a little bit. You know the seat. You're a bad guy. This guy, terrible guy. This guy did nothing for Alabama. This guy did nothing for Alabama. I'm joking. That's what I did. See you, you were taking some heat on the Internet, which I don't like, because you're, you're, you're Nick Satan. You're the guy that we would all pick to put in as President of the United States if he would ever let us. You are the guy.
- [152:08]
Nick Saban
But I, I did not make a decision, friend.
- [152:10]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, right.
- [152:11]
Nick Saban
I did not.
- [152:11]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I did not.
- [152:13]
Nick Saban
All right, so. But. So you think I wouldn't have been catching hell on the Internet if I'd have said to stay at Ole Miss?
- [152:19]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you're right.
- [152:20]
Nick Saban
I mean, there's no LSU fans are going to get on your ass for saying that.
- [152:23]
Pat McAfee
Me?
- [152:24]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah.
- [152:24]
Pat McAfee
No, they like me because I go, hey.
- [152:28]
You remember the channel?
- [152:29]
Nick Saban
Oh, yeah. Now you're in the music business, huh?
- [152:31]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah.
- [152:32]
Nick Saban
How about that?
- [152:34]
Pat McAfee
How we are doing? All right, let's move. All right, let's get back to the college football business. Ty Schmidt has a question for you, Coach.
- [152:39]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Coach, we talked about this a little bit with you last year. And I understand coaches don't think like this and neither do players, but with the current model and the way it's set up, do you think any coach is maybe thinking like, hey, that five seed is kind of where we want to be? I understand. We want to go undefeated. You want to be the number one seed. But you look at last year, Oregon, you know, they get the buy and then they get the doors blown off of them by Ohio State. Whereas this year they're sitting at 5. And there's a very good chance that, you know, if they play a two lane or in North Texas, no disrespect to either one of them, but Oregon's going to be like a four touchdown favorite in that game. And it maybe gives them the opportunity to kind of get hot at the right time. So if you're coaching a team, like, would you Almost. Do you think the buy is almost a detriment in this current model that we're in, or is that still the end all be all?
- [153:31]
Nick Saban
No, I think last year the buy was a detriment because most of the teams that had buys didn't perform very well. But I think the real key is, you know, where is your team right now? If your team's playing really well and you got momentum, which you've created by playing well because you earned your own momentum, then do you really want to buy or not? Would you rather keep playing and build on that momentum? If your team's all beat up and you got a bunch of guys hurt up at this time of the year and some time off would be benef beneficial, then I think having a bye week is probably a good thing. So I think the circumstance determines whether it's a good or by bad thing based on where your team is. But I think that most, a lot of coaches have to really examine how do we get ready for a game when we have all this time off? A lot of time, I think, you know, that's one of the things. I mean, you can look at my record when I was at Michigan State, we went to what, four bowl games. We got the line and kicked out of our ass and every one of them because I tried to practice from the season to the bowl game. And by the time we got there, the players are so tired of practicing. I mean psychologically they, they just wanted to get it over with. And then I started making it when I went to lsu. This is a one game season, so we're not practicing maybe for two or three weeks. Players just work out, lift weight, have seven on, seven on their own. Every now and then, coaches aren't around them. And then we're going to practice 11, 12 times before the game and that's it. And then we started winning because everybody was looking forward to it and all that. So how you manage that time off, you know, sometimes less is more, but as coaches you think the more you practice, the better you're going to get. Sometimes it doesn't work, not at this, this time of year.
- [155:18]
Pat McAfee
It's such a crazy philosophy, especially for the goat to say. It's like actually whenever we were practicing more we got worse. So we need to stop practicing. Almost make them think they have like a little mini off season, right? They're getting and then they'll be excited to get the pads back on and kind of get back into work. That was what you said. Psychologically, you saw from your team that's right.
- [155:36]
Nick Saban
And we won when we did that, and we lost when we did it the other way.
- [155:39]
Pat McAfee
Did you ever win here? Did you ever win this game?
- [155:42]
Nick Saban
I remember the. When we lost here in 2008 to Tebow, when we had a young team, second year at Alabama, but a bunch of dogs on that.
- [155:54]
All freshmen.
- [155:55]
Pat McAfee
You talk about Mack Brown saying, if you win, it's a relief. If you lose, it's devastating. I don't know how many you've won here. I assume eight or nine or something like that. And then you go, yeah, I remember the one we lost. Tim Tebow, that guy. I'll never forget it. Like that's your first memory, which is why you are who you you are. Speaking of, you are who you are. You've created billions of dollars in NFL revenue for your player. There's a guy up in Detroit who has changed and transformed the way their team plays. Go ahead, con man.
- [156:22]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, coach. You recruited Jameer Gibbs, got him to transfer from Georgia Tech, I believe, in the 2022 season. What was it like coaching a player like that? Was he, you know, as electric as some of the other dudes that you've had? I mean, you've had Heisman winners, but. But Gibbs himself right now is taking over the NFL. He actually just became the quickest or most touchdowns before or in his first three seasons. Yeah, there is. Before turning 24. He also, I believe, passed Randy Moss for the most touchdowns in the first few seasons of his career, as well as another stat. But what was it like having Jameer Gibbs? And what. What do we not know about him as a player or the person that you kind of got to experience that season?
- [157:07]
Nick Saban
Right. Well, you know, I was surprised that when we looked at Jameer Gibbs when he was at Georgia Tech, I saw this guy that had this great ability to make you miss. And probably one of the most important facets of being a great running back is to make a cut and get to full speed. How fast can you get to full speed out of a lateral cut? This guy can do it as well as anybody I know. They compare him to Barry Sanders, and he made a lot of guys miss. And I played against him, and he made a lot of our guys miss. But that's what Jameer Gibbs can do. He's tough. He's a great person. He's a great receiver, and this guy can just do it all, and he's making people miss. He runs behind his pads, even though he's not a great big guy, but he's hard to Tackle. And he's got great acceleration and burst and speed out of a cut, which I think makes him unique in terms of his skill set, what he can do as a complete player in this offense. And you got to give the Lions credit because they use the guy the right way. They get him the ball the right way.
- [158:09]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, they give him the ball a lot. And also they have another running back, Monte, who had a big night, but Jameer Gibbs, clearly becoming a separator on offense. So fast, so explosive, so dynamic, so cool, too. You like the number 0? You like number 0 on or no?
- [158:24]
Nick Saban
You know, I'm not big on what number they wear when they can score touchdowns like he does. So it doesn't matter to me. I mean, he can have no number.
- [158:35]
Pat McAfee
Coach, you're the absolute greatest. We appreciate you, man. Thank you for welcoming us here to your SEC championship. It's an honor to be down here.
- [158:42]
Nick Saban
Well, it's. It is an honor. And there's a lot of memories that go into this place. And, you know, one of them was when I first came to the SEC in 2000. Roy Kramer was the conference commissioner and he had been a very successful coach at Central Michigan of all places. You know, in Michigan in the Mid American Conference and even before when they weren't in the Mid American Conference. And he was very, very successful. But this guy is a legend in terms of being an old, old fashioned football guy. I mean, he watched high school games right up until he's 96 years old. He's still watching high school games. You know, he's still going and very involved in the game. And you know, I always say they don't make them like they used to. I don't think they make very many of them like Roy Kramer.
- [159:33]
Pat McAfee
Well, rest in peace to Roy Kramer. Thank you for your services to football and to life. He was the creator of the BCS. Roy Kramer created the, the BCS. He was a commissioner for 11 years, obviously ball coach elsewhere. And I believe today he was announced. Passed away recently.
- [159:50]
Nick Saban
Yeah, today.
- [159:50]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. So rest in peace. Sorry about that. Hey, sorry about that.
- [159:53]
Nick Saban
Appreciate you, man.
- [159:54]
Pat McAfee
We are very thankful that you join us every single week. And tomorrow should be electrifying as you pick Georgia to beat your Alabama team.
- [160:02]
Nick Saban
Right.
- [160:02]
Pat McAfee
You're going to call the dogs.
- [160:03]
Stanford Steve
Wow.
- [160:05]
Pat McAfee
With Alabama. Just like I sent Lane Kiffin down to lsu. I was sick of Alabama having success. Is that what you're gonna do?
- [160:12]
Nick Saban
What do they call it when they take toilet paper and throw it all over your trees at your house?
- [160:16]
Pat McAfee
TP TPing yeah.
- [160:18]
Nick Saban
Yeah. Is that what you're trying to get?
- [160:21]
Pat McAfee
No. No, I would never want that. I would never want that. Or eggs like they did to Patoldo, allegedly, up there in New Jersey and Philadelphia for the Eagles. But we appreciate the hell out of you, Coach. Hell of a year out of you. You've crushed it this year, you know that?
- [160:33]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Hell, yeah, coach.
- [160:34]
Nick Saban
Fun. I enjoy it. And being alongside of you is. Brings out the best in me. I gotta say that.
- [160:39]
Pat McAfee
I do wonder what's going through your head sometimes. Like the shout up there on Eugene, you getting up and dancing, getting down low. A lot of people said, wow, good knees on saving. He got down there low for the shout, then he turned it back up. I appreciate you riding in there. You do. You ride in there and I appreciate that.
- [160:54]
Nick Saban
But see, I wouldn't do that with anybody else but you.
- [160:58]
Pat McAfee
Ms. Terry.
- [160:58]
Nick Saban
You. You. Yeah, Ms. Terry.
- [161:01]
Pat McAfee
Ms. Terry's here, by the way. Happy Thanksgiving, Ms. Terry. Happy holidays. She gave us a gift. He's playing accordion. Oh, accordion on the Christmas card. Looks awesome. You look like a real music. What was that about, Coach? What was that about? What was that eye roll?
- [161:15]
Nick Saban
Coach, I guarantee you. I guarantee you that I did not approve. That Christmas card.
- [161:22]
Was today, all right? There's no way that shit's going public.
- [161:28]
A.J. Hawk
You play the accordion?
- [161:29]
Nick Saban
I did.
- [161:30]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, wow.
- [161:31]
Nick Saban
My grandma Saen made us all learn how to play accordion when we're kids. One of the reasons that I started playing ball when I was nine years old was to get out of going to accordion lessons.
- [161:40]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so now the fact that you know the accordion. I might need you on the next song. I might need you on. I might need you on another song in this entire thing. Hold on, I think we got it here. Actually. Let's go ahead and zoom in on that down there. And.
- [161:55]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yes.
- [161:56]
Pat McAfee
Yep. So that is.
- [161:57]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Hell, yeah.
- [161:58]
Ty Schmidt
Yes.
- [162:00]
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
- [162:01]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I don't know if I can focus.
- [162:03]
A.J. Hawk
Keep it coming. How many dogs do you have?
- [162:07]
Pat McAfee
That's him on the accordion. That's unbelievable work out of you. And look at Ms. Terry. Absolutely crushing it. As we should have expected. How many different photos were taken here? And how long does take to piece together here? What were you playing?
- [162:18]
Nick Saban
I had nothing to do with it.
- [162:20]
Pat McAfee
What?
- [162:20]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Don't lie.
- [162:22]
Pat McAfee
Don't lie. Coach, what are you talking about? Merry Christmas, jolly old Saint Nick. I thought that was the entire.
- [162:27]
Nick Saban
Oh, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody. But you don't see me playing according to. Enjoy yourself.
- [162:33]
Pat McAfee
I need you on recording on my next song. I need you on my next Song. Is that possible? Let's do that.
- [162:37]
Nick Saban
Absolutely.
- [162:38]
Pat McAfee
You still want laughter? What's the sound?
- [162:43]
That's the sound, right?
- [162:44]
Nick Saban
That's it.
- [162:45]
Pat McAfee
I need that on the next song to the man, ladies and gentlemen, Coach Nick. Say that.
- [162:50]
Nick Saban
Coach.
- [162:51]
A.J. Hawk
I could see him playing the harmonica too.
- [162:53]
Ty Schmidt
Oh, yeah, yeah.
- [162:54]
A.J. Hawk
1. Maybe he gets the one that has like the.
- [162:56]
Ty Schmidt
Like the Bob Dylan one. Yeah, you can hold the accordion, too.
- [162:58]
A.J. Hawk
He's playing the accordion and then everyone's looking, bop down and play that harmonica.
- [163:01]
Tone (Tony)
Have you seen the video of him playing the sax with the Blues Brothers shades and hat on?
- [163:05]
A.J. Hawk
Nick Sabbath Saban.
- [163:06]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, it's unbelievable.
- [163:08]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I actually have not.
- [163:09]
A.J. Hawk
Is that a real thing or are you just being tone right now?
- [163:11]
Tone (Tony)
I saw that somewhere.
- [163:12]
Ty Schmidt
Are you thinking of when Bill Clinton.
- [163:13]
A.J. Hawk
Went on Arsenio hall played the Saxophone like in 1993?
- [163:18]
Tone (Tony)
Maybe.
- [163:18]
Kirk Herbstreit
Maybe I am.
- [163:19]
Ty Schmidt
I think you all.
- [163:19]
Tone (Tony)
Maybe I am.
- [163:20]
A.J. Hawk
With that being said, Fox, we pop up the playoff predictions. I guess you're the Ramys for the NFL games on this late here. So. Okay, explain what this exactly is. Right.
- [163:29]
Connor (Toxic Table)
So number on the left for the teams is if they win, if the Colts win, they got an 87 chance to make the playoffs across the board. You see how that works on the other side is if they lose, if the Jags lose, they still have a pretty good chance because they have tiebreakers with a lot of the other wild card teams. But the other real games that are that matter here, if you look at it, Steelers and Chiefs, both of them need to win. If they lose, it is pretty detrimental to them making a run at the big dance. So I know Tony is not shaking in his boots because he's pretty confident in Rogers this weekend. But. But definitely a must win for Pittsburgh. I would.
- [164:03]
A.J. Hawk
Tona, honestly, you've kind of flip flop. You were down the dumps, you know.
- [164:06]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, I took my time, you know.
- [164:07]
A.J. Hawk
On suicide watch for a couple days. But then you came around. It feels like you're back on board with the Steelers.
- [164:11]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, you know this. I came and I chose to be positive. You know, I was tired of the negativity surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and the cloud that was hanging over my head. So I thought about it and, you know, we're playing for first place on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, who also haven't looked good. And you know, if we win, we got the keys to the driver's seat to win the AFC north, so.
- [164:32]
A.J. Hawk
Okay. Yeah, fair enough.
- [164:33]
Ty Schmidt
Pat.
- [164:33]
A.J. Hawk
How about. How about Coach Saban with the accordion? You're definitely getting him on at least one song.
- [164:39]
Pat McAfee
The slate is packed for the NFL there with a lot of Rammies and Coach Saban on the accordion for the next song, which is Oops. Is coming out I think in like a week or so. And then there's like five other ones that are coming. I mean, we got. This is just awesome. I don't want to get into it, but it's just the tip of the dookie here, you know. And I think as we kind of settle in, it's certainly going to become an enjoyable experience and we appreciate everybody playing it. But talking to Coach Saban there on the way out, he was like, hey, you were trying to get the number on how many I won here. We're 18 and one in this building. He said, I won 17 straight here, 17 championships.
- [165:12]
A.J. Hawk
And you said, well, he probably eight or nine of them, didn't you? You know how pissed he probably was in his head. But he's like, I'm too humble to.
- [165:17]
Pat McAfee
Say 10 championships, thanks. 18 and one in this building. On the way out here. Here, he said that. He said you were trying to pull the number at this building. 18 and one here. I said, who? And he goes, our teams, we're very 17 straight here. Tim Tebow is the only one. Tim Tebow is the only guy that got literally the first thing he thought about there.
- [165:34]
Connor (Toxic Table)
And he's got 11 total.
- [165:37]
Pat McAfee
11 total SEC championship.
- [165:39]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. So one of them just wasn't in that building.
- [165:42]
Pat McAfee
LSU probably, right?
- [165:43]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Oh, I'm not sure. Probably because the stadium wasn't built right.
- [165:47]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, he was national champion there. I assume they won the SEC championship as well there because nobody talks about about the SEC championship from lsu. They only talk about the national championship from lsu. And also I guess conversation is he loved his time down at lsu. Hey, let's go ahead and put some of our let's make our Sunday slate picks here, AJ shall we as we wrap up this glorious feel Good Dookie. Friday, December 5, 2025 Dookie available on all streaming platforms. It's an outrageous thing to even say that.
- [166:15]
Indianapolis colts favored by 1/2 down there in Deval. Listen, the Jacksonville Jaguars are a boogeyman, if you would, to the Indianapolis Colts, especially down there. When their team is ass, they beat us down there. When their team is good, they beat us down there. So the thought of them ruining this season and continuing our loss with them is certainly feasible and possible. But I like the Indianapolis Colts. I like what Danny Dimes is going to be doing second week with a fraction action fibula playing. He's going to Be a little bit more understanding of the situation. Give me the Indianapolis Colts, favored by one and a half down there.
- [166:49]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, boy. Yeah. Hey, I love the Indianapolis Colts as well. I love what they're doing. I'm in. I'm in their city right now, but I'm going Jags on this one. I did not like Danny Dimes having to limp around. The dude's a warrior. And Adam Schefter's acting like it's a hairline fracture. It's nothing. Oh, everybody would play through this. No, he's. He's a monster. He's playing through something. But give me the Jags.
- [167:06]
Tone (Tony)
You get him at plus.
- [167:07]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, that's incredibly painful. I do believe. What can we get you? You can get them at what?
- [167:11]
Tone (Tony)
You can get the Jags at plus two.
- [167:13]
A.J. Hawk
I'll take that.
- [167:15]
Pat McAfee
Jeez. Can I get. All right. Minus one and a half.
- [167:19]
Nick Saban
Yeah.
- [167:20]
Pat McAfee
There's a.
- [167:21]
A.J. Hawk
Are they practicing the chest pass? Dr. Pepper?
- [167:23]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. No, I think they're doing the Coke Zero chest pass right now.
- [167:27]
Pat McAfee
Oh, it's still. We thought maybe Coke Zero was coming in, but it is still the Dr. Pepper tuition chest.
- [167:35]
A.J. Hawk
Did they tell them you got to throw it one handed at least?
- [167:38]
Nick Saban
No.
- [167:39]
A.J. Hawk
Why?
- [167:39]
Ty Schmidt
It's the chess pass competition.
- [167:41]
A.J. Hawk
No, it's not.
- [167:42]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but remember, the reason why the chest pass started is because somebody couldn't throw it and then they went in. Now they're like a doctor or something. I forget what it is. Obviously, this is a part of it. And if they're going to be walked through the whole thing. That is awesome for us to have to deal with here.
- [167:55]
There's a lot of people that is. Hey, it's different down here. It's just different down here. Bengals traveling to take on the Buffalo Bills. Interesting story. Coming out of Buffalo new stadium, he's basically going to be sold out every single week just from season ticket sales or season licensing sales in the entirety. The Buffalo Bills faithful are excited for their new stadium, and the Buffalo Bills fan base is obviously spectacular. Would that be enough for them to win by at least six as they host the Buffalo or Cincinnati Bengals, team that had a massive primetime Thanksgiving win over the Baltimore Ravens. Who do you think, A.J. how do you like it, man?
- [168:28]
A.J. Hawk
Bills at home. That was initially lean in Bills, but, man, watching Joe Burrow, you know, breathe some life back into this team. I'm going to take the Bengals on this.
- [168:36]
Tone (Tony)
T. Higgins is back as well, by the way.
- [168:37]
A.J. Hawk
Give me the Bengals.
- [168:39]
Pat McAfee
Okay. Can their defense stop Josh Allen and them? I guess. They did great against Baltimore Ravens. Give me. Can we get them at plus six or.
- [168:46]
Tone (Tony)
No, you could get the Bengals plus six or Bills minus five and a half.
- [168:52]
Pat McAfee
I'll get. Give me the Bills minus five and a half. New Orleans Saints taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bucks favored by eight and a half at home. New Orleans Saints, obviously a team that has been playing better than we thought. Even though they're still not good, we thought they were going to be completely ass. Bucks favored by eight and a half at home. AJ who do you like? How do you like it? And Tone, do we have any other line?
- [169:13]
Tone (Tony)
Eight and a half across the board.
- [169:15]
A.J. Hawk
Okay, I like the. I like Tampa Bay Bucks at home. Give me. Bake in the crew to eight and a half. Feels like a lot, but I think.
- [169:20]
Pat McAfee
They figured out me too. Let's go to the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the ball. Baltimore Ravens in the AFC north rivalry of all rivalries, the Baltimore Ravens used to be the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh Steelers hated them in Cleveland. Then they go to Baltimore. They hate them there this year. Both fan bases are waiting to bury their respective teams upon a loss this weekend. Neither team. Neither team's fan base, I would say, believe that their team can win a Super bowl. And that's what we're in this whole thing for. Tone Diggs, how do you feel here just a couple days removed from the massive rivalry of the Steelers and Ravens taking place?
- [169:55]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, I think I should let everyone know first that the dog in this matchup when it's Tomlin versus Harbaugh is 26, 63 against the spread. So normally the dog. It's always a close game. So normally the dog covers in this one, but the last two, the Ravens have covered seven and a half and nine and a half because they have been able to run it down the Steelers throats. I don't see anything different on Sunday. I think the Ravens will win easily.
- [170:21]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so you're trying to reverse jinx this thing. It feels like. AJ who do you like? How do you like it?
- [170:26]
A.J. Hawk
So I heard Lamar got stepped on. Missed a practice Wednesday. But he's back.
- [170:29]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, he's back.
- [170:30]
A.J. Hawk
Yep, Doing fine. That could be very painful. Give me the Steelers here, man. I think they find a way to keep it close.
- [170:38]
Pat McAfee
All right, I'll take the Ravens. I'll bite. It doesn't feel like that should be the case case at all. Especially with how they played. Favored by five and a half. That feels like a lot of points in this particular rivalry. Everything kind of stinks a little bit. Yeah, a little dinky. So I'll take the Ravens just like last night. Seahawks, Falcons, Seahawks good on the road. Road warriors actually favored by seven heading down into this beautiful stadium which will play host as the Falcons are at home. Aj, who do you like? How do you like it?
- [171:05]
A.J. Hawk
I like. I like Seattle, man. I like like Sam Darnold and Seattle and what they are doing. Their defense I think is sneaky good as well. So give me the Seahawks.
- [171:12]
Tone (Tony)
There's actually a six and a half, I believe.
- [171:13]
Pat McAfee
I'm frozen on your side. Am I frozen? You guys are completely frozen on my screen. So I'm frozen.
- [171:18]
Connor (Toxic Table)
No, you're good.
- [171:20]
Pat McAfee
Okay. Good, good, good, good, good. It's great to be here, boys. It's great to be here, boys. I like the Seattle Seahawks with whatever one we can get. Miami Dolphins favored by 2 1/2 going in take on the New York football Jets. I like like everything I'm seeing from Aaron Glenn, even through his challenge flag in a cool way. NFL films released a little footage of him dropping that thing with a little pizzazz and then talking a little bit of. Maybe they're finding their culture over there. Is there any other lines we need to know about this one?
- [171:45]
Tone (Tony)
Tone, you get the jets at plus three or the Dolphins minus two and a half.
- [171:49]
Pat McAfee
Okay, aj, who do you like? How do you like it?
- [171:52]
A.J. Hawk
I've gone back and forth on this one, but I like what Aaron Glenn's got going on. Give me the jets plus three here.
- [171:58]
Pat McAfee
AJ's been great at picking games. I have not been. So the fact that I'm just seeing so many differently than him does alarm me. But give me the Miami Dolphins even though it's going to be cold in New York. Give me the Jazz.
- [172:10]
I will take the Jets.
- [172:11]
Connor (Toxic Table)
This is a something's got to give game. Their stats are coming out. Two, undefeated against the Jets. Tua in under 40 degree weather hasn't won a game. So it is a something's going to happen where a team will win a game that they haven't it ever.
- [172:26]
Pat McAfee
I'll take the jets plus 3. I completely forgot about the Miami Dolphins team whenever they travel north of the Basin Dixon line in the winter. Tennessee Titans traveling into Cleveland. I like the Cleveland Browns no matter what they're favored by, especially at home.
- [172:40]
A.J. Hawk
Yep, I like the Browns as well. Miles Garrett going to try to set the sack record.
- [172:43]
Pat McAfee
Get four or five Washington Commanders taking on. We can get that at three and a half you said? Yep, we will certainly do that. Washington Commanders taking on the Minnesota Vikings. What's the health status, boys? Of the Washington commanders and the Minnesota.
- [172:58]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Vikings, Jaden Daniels is a go. Yep. It just got announced that he will start Sunday versus the Vikings. And I also believe J.J. mcCarthy passed concussion protocol. Not sure if that's good or bad, but I guess he is. I guess he is going to just go out there and spin that thing is what he said. And Coach O' Connell and Josh McCown basically told him like, hey, don't worry about, you know, playing to a T perfectly. Just go out and spin it.
- [173:25]
Pat McAfee
I'll take Jaden over nine. A.J. how about you?
- [173:28]
A.J. Hawk
Yep. Same as you. Commanders.
- [173:30]
Pat McAfee
Denver Broncos, seven and a half. Is there any other lines, Tone?
- [173:34]
Tone (Tony)
They are. Sorry, I'm scrolling down. Broncos. You can get them seven. You can actually get them at seven if you want.
- [173:40]
Pat McAfee
Okay. A.J. you want them at minus seven?
- [173:43]
A.J. Hawk
Yep. I love the Broncos here at minus seven.
- [173:44]
Pat McAfee
Seven. Me too. Bears, packers ties.
- [173:48]
A.J. Hawk
I'm taking the Packers. Before you you ask me, I'm taking a pack here at home.
- [173:52]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Wow.
- [173:53]
Pat McAfee
Okay. AJ Said, I don't care what the number is. Give me the Green Bay Packers. Micah Parsons coming out and saying they got no respect. I don't respect them either. I hate them. I like that it's a real rivalry. The Bears have a real team this year. So do the Packers. Ty Schmidt, you like being favored by six and a half or no, that's.
- [174:10]
Ty Schmidt
Seems a little high to me just with how well the. The Bears are playing. I do still think the packers are going to win. They're hoping to get a couple guys back who have been out the last couple weeks. I think playing at Lambeau is a massive advantage. I just. I could see this being a field goal game. I don't know if it is going to be six and a half, but yeah, as you see there, it is going to be frigid at Lambeau on Sunday.
- [174:33]
Pat McAfee
How's Ben Johnson done against LaFleur?
- [174:37]
Ty Schmidt
Pretty. Pretty good. Like the. The Lions over the last few years.
- [174:41]
A.J. Hawk
They don't love each other.
- [174:42]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, they don't know that. But the Lions over the last few years have really kind of taken it to the Packers.
- [174:49]
Pat McAfee
Give me da Bears. Okay, now how many points am I getting?
- [174:53]
A.J. Hawk
Six and a half.
- [174:54]
Tone (Tony)
Six and a half.
- [174:56]
Pat McAfee
No more?
- [174:56]
Tone (Tony)
No, but it I nowhere.
- [174:59]
A.J. Hawk
That's way too many anyway. Come on.
- [175:00]
Connor (Toxic Table)
The Bears should feel disrespectful against Eagles.
- [175:04]
Pat McAfee
All right, let's go to the Rams and the Cardinals. I like the Rams. Minus eight and a half. Minus eight. Whatever we can get as they travel out to beautiful Phoenix. We absolutely love them. The Public is also on the Rams, no matter what the spread would be against the Cardinals. And I'll wake up the next day feeling good, taking the Rams. How do you feel, A.J. in this one?
- [175:23]
A.J. Hawk
I think the Rams are still one of the best football teams in the NFL. So give me the Rams here.
- [175:29]
Pat McAfee
Coming off a loss too. You know, the Panthers, maybe Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay have their thing. And then the Houston Texans. That's good football team. CJ Stroud knocking off the rust. The defense, the Houston sack station's a problem. The Chiefs in the middle of a dynasty, are they going to be able to find it? They're favored by three and a half at home. AJ who do you like? How do you like it?
- [175:48]
A.J. Hawk
Honestly, I like the Houston Texans here. I know they're underdogs in Kansas city. I like C.J. stroud. He's doing. And obviously the Houston D will continue to play well.
- [175:57]
Pat McAfee
I like the Kansas City Chiefs a lot. This is Travis Kelce's flannel. I've worn it a couple times because it's kept me very, very comfortable in like the 30 to 50 degree weather range. He is a beast. I appreciate the hell out of him. And Mahomes and Jones. Give me the Houston Texans. That's a good football team. Representing the AFC south, getting three and a half points. We'll continue digitally. Stanford Steve will stop by to wrap up some of the colors. College football conversation. We'll hit all the other storylines and then we'll go into a greatest weekend of college football and NFL football that we've had all season. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. Play Dookie. Goodbye. I think I got it in there.
- [176:34]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yeah.
- [176:36]
Pat McAfee
All right. I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick. They might be done with this. I'm kind of feeling it. And then Stanford Steve will be up here. And boys, let's enjoy the hell out of what we're about to do. This is a great weekend of ball right now.
- [176:48]
Ty Schmidt
Hell, yeah.
- [176:48]
Pat McAfee
I mean, the more. The closer we get to it, the more excited I'm getting for it all. And don't feel obligated to play Dookie, but kind of though, and also get creative. Get creative with Dookie. Get creative out there. I can't wait to see what you do. Obviously, we'll be doing giveaways and fun for everything. And yeah, let's take a break. Stand for. See if we'll be on the other side. AJ I appreciate you so much for driving over to Indy, brother.
- [177:10]
A.J. Hawk
Of course Easy. I enjoy it. Enjoy coming in here, seeing the Thunderdome, and. And, yeah, it's always fun, man.
- [177:16]
Pat McAfee
Have you heard that since the last time you've been there and then the time before that and the time before that? Foxy and I still have yet to lose.
- [177:22]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, you guys are still winning like that?
- [177:23]
Pat McAfee
We're on quite the run, really.
- [177:26]
Ty Schmidt
Bruce.
- [177:27]
A.J. Hawk
Not quite. Bruce was a clutch shooter when I played a couple weeks ago.
- [177:30]
Ty Schmidt
Downtown Bruce Brown.
- [177:31]
Pat McAfee
Bruce. Yeah, Downtown Bruce Brown, who is our only.
- [177:37]
Yeah, not only that, but he also changed to a right push shot in the middle of the game if the lefty one's not fallen, which he ended up doing to us yesterday, which is obviously a sign you're not going to win the game. And him and Connor kind of had that. But Bruce is the only insider in the game who also participates in the league in which he is the insider. So we appreciate what Bruce does for journalism, for U ball and also for the game. But Foxy hit our first walk off the other day because normally we shoot first, so we're always on defense to end the game. So. D Butch and bone. Well, who was it? Con man. D. Butts and Connor. D Butts and Connor, first time together. Very tough. Very tough team. They beat us then. Now we go to championship game, right? Vegas shoot first and we're shooting last. It gets to 11, 10. Foxy, last shot. So they win. They have 11 points already. Foxy shooting with 10. Our first ever time ever, really doing this. Foxy steps up, banks it home. Sends it home. Not Banks at home. Hits off the back of the rim, sends it home, and full bang.
- [178:35]
A.J. Hawk
Oh.
- [178:35]
Pat McAfee
Boom. Oh, I lost my. What a moment. Connor. Connor was not exactly thrilled. Neither was, but. But it has been getting very intense. And I'm gonna be honest, I don't know how long the game's gonna last, but it feels good. Winning. Foxy. Way to go, brother. I'm very proud of what you've been doing. I would say that was by far and away our best day of U ball as an office as a whole. Those two games, Deba. In the first game when they beat us, that was also a walk off. So, yeah, it was incredible.
- [179:05]
Connor (Toxic Table)
We're just on.
- [179:06]
Pat McAfee
We're on quite the run. Bruce, what is the insider business saying about U ball right now? We.
- [179:12]
Stanford Steve
We played a fun game. Debone and I were looking like the Cincinnati Bengals on the defensive end, so got to clean that up. But, yeah, you know, just looking to grow the game, keep the integrity of the game intact as much as possible.
- [179:23]
Pat McAfee
Okay.
- [179:24]
Ty Schmidt
Okay.
- [179:24]
Pat McAfee
And Connor, what are your thoughts as we sit here when you were just one jumper from Foxy away from being the champion of U ball and getting that bedazzled little ball that's been sitting over there on my desk for the last couple months, moved over to the toxic table.
- [179:38]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I mean, it was a good debut for Debut. And I, I thought, first game we've ever played together, we took you guys to the ropes. But the champs are the champs for a reason. You gotta bury him when you got the chance. You can't just kind of pitter patter to the end, you know, we didn't play great on defense, didn't make enough shots. And maybe next week me and D bud will have another chance.
- [179:55]
Pat McAfee
Connor and Butts, good team. That's good. That's good U ball team. That's a good U bolt team. There are some teams that really scare you, AJ and especially guys that can play on offense and defensive side and also know strategy a little bit. It's. Yeah, there's some good teams out there and we're going to stay focused. We're. We're 18 and one in that building and we're going to try to continue that, AJ and are you playing today? Have you played?
- [180:21]
A.J. Hawk
I don't know if I'll play today, but I believe me and Bruce. Bruce hit a walk off against you and Foxy like a month ago when I played.
- [180:27]
Ty Schmidt
No, it was Friday.
- [180:28]
Stanford Steve
So it wasn't against them.
- [180:29]
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah, it wasn't against me, but.
- [180:32]
Stanford Steve
We are undefeated either way.
- [180:33]
A.J. Hawk
Bruce had a walk off.
- [180:34]
Pat McAfee
Just know that ain't.
- [180:35]
A.J. Hawk
No, no, I was wearing a wig. You had to walk off on Halloween. It was against you and Foxy. Yes. Yeah, obviously I understand it get. Everything gets. If Bruce hits a walk off, it gets shoved under the rug, but Bruce did it. Good job, Bruce.
- [180:48]
Pat McAfee
He's the insider. He's supposed to be.
- [180:50]
A.J. Hawk
You're right. You got to put that out, Bruce. That's on you.
- [180:52]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I mean, how am I supposed to know if it happened? It gets me. If he doesn't put it out, I mean, what do we even? What do we even?
- [180:57]
A.J. Hawk
Just like saving. Telling you.
- [180:58]
Pat McAfee
18:1. Hey. Yeah, by the way, never lost one time. So that's it.
- [181:04]
A.J. Hawk
I own this place.
- [181:05]
Pat McAfee
Go ahead and tell them whatever you talk about. Ten championships, this thing. I mean, think about him walking on here just going, God, welcome to my stadium, is how he should feel. And we'll go ahead and celebrate that tomorrow. All right? Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. Might change your life. Take.
- [181:26]
A.J. Hawk
Feel good. Friday, December 5th. This is the Pat McAfee Show. I'm A.J. hawk sitting here for Pat Eason Atlanta. SEC Championship.
- [181:34]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Boys, big game.
- [181:38]
Football.
- [181:39]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, what's up? Oh, I see old Stanford Steve with the Ole Miss Q zip, huh? Stanford. How you doing, buddy?
- [181:46]
Stanford Steve
I'm good, aj.
- [181:47]
A.J. Hawk
It's really good to hear this mic.
- [181:49]
Pat McAfee
There's no way.
- [181:50]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, it looks. It sounds off.
- [181:52]
A.J. Hawk
Is your mic not on? Is your mic picking them up?
- [181:54]
Pat McAfee
Speaking there again.
- [181:55]
Stanford Steve
Check 1, 2, 3, 4.
- [181:57]
Pat McAfee
Can you hear him?
- [181:58]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, yeah. Good.
- [181:59]
Stanford Steve
You got me.
- [181:59]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah.
- [182:00]
Nick Saban
Okay.
- [182:00]
Pat McAfee
Okay, perfect.
- [182:00]
Stanford Steve
I just noticed a little extra juice in AJ after last Saturday's Outcome and all.
- [182:04]
Pat McAfee
Harbor, you're talking about Ohio State.
- [182:06]
Stanford Steve
I want to congratulate A.J. i know, I know. That's got.
- [182:09]
Tone (Tony)
That's it.
- [182:10]
Stanford Steve
There's something about your alma mater when you're watching, you can't do anything, but you're rooting your ass off for them. And then that's been a long road. They got the national championship, but I could see it. I could feel it, and it's awesome. I'm happy for you guys.
- [182:22]
Pat McAfee
How many days was it? 2,121 91 days. Wow, AJ, congrats.
- [182:26]
A.J. Hawk
You, AJ I mean, yeah, of course that. You know, there's a Covid year in there. It wasn't just strictly. Wasn't strictly like a normal situation. There was a year that didn't play and all that, but, yeah, it was. It's good to get away.
- [182:38]
Stanford Steve
Yeah.
- [182:38]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. But I mean, you guys needed it. Because if that would have been another 365 days on top of the 2191, boy, that would have been. You needed it.
- [182:47]
A.J. Hawk
We did need it. I agree. We did need it. We did.
- [182:50]
Pat McAfee
Let's talk about Ohio State now playing Indiana. Big Ten championship. We've talked about it a lot. Obviously, the city of Indianapolis is shutting down for it. I mean, they got a Hoosiers basketball game at 330, then obviously the Hoosiers are in the Big Ten championship for football, which wasn't even a pipe dream just three years ago for any Hoosier fan, which a lot of them live in Indianapolis, it's going to be ape there for the Big Ten championship. Your thoughts on these games, because obviously this Hoosiers team is different than the Hoosiers team last year. That kind of. They dookied the bed almost against an Ohio State team last year.
- [183:19]
Stanford Steve
What do you guys think the crowd's going to be? Do you think 60, 40?
- [183:22]
Pat McAfee
SeatGeek has actually some stats on the amount of purchases from Indiana in the to purchase this from Ohio. Now, this is just from SE Big 10 change. 39% of the buyers have come from Indiana, 23% have come from Ohio. Last year's game between Oregon and Penn State had 25% buyers from Indiana, 25% buyers from Ohio. So in general, this game draws a lot of local demand, but Indiana is making up for a disproportionate amount of fans this year. It's going to be very, very Hoosier heavy. Yeah, it's going to be very Hoosier heavy because the worry is Ohio State does this all the time. Indiana has a chance to do something they've never, never done before. And I think the city and the state are jacked up about it.
- [183:55]
Stanford Steve
But you also. This is what makes Ohio State great, is how crazy and large that army is of a fan base like they. They look at as a challenge now. Like, you're going to get people that were like before the Michigan game, like, yeah, maybe we'll go. Maybe. All right, yeah, we're going. They said Indiana is going to have home home field. We're going. That's how awesome that fan base is. So I. We've been waiting all year for the matchup, Pat. I tend to think it's going to be a lower scoring game. I like the personnel on both defenses. And we've talked before, you know, Ohio State, the biggest difference in this team from last year, they don't have the difference makers on the defensive line, but as a team and as a whole, they are. They swarm you. And with Indiana being at that game in Eugene, I was really impressed with how they lived on the other side of the line of scrimmage. They pride themselves on chaos, disruptiveness, getting in your backfield and making quarterbacks make tough decisions. So it's a fascinating matchup. I wonder about what they're gonna do with Ponds. Will he track Jeremiah Smith on that side? So you got some chess matches there, but Indiana has all the goods. You want to go against this? I. Indiana cannot let the ball go over their head. That's another thing that they've every. They keep everything in front of them, which is good. And this offense, defensive line for Indiana, put up or shut up. They're. They're in a conversation. And that's what Ohio State has also. So every. No matter where you look at it, the matchup is great. I mean, we didn't even talk about the quarterbacks.
- [185:21]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I mean, two quarterbacks potentially battling literally for the Heisman and Fernando And Julian saying, Julian saying, I guess has been in a couple big games this year, but Mendoza, he obviously has been. But for the team as a whole, Indiana, we talked about this a couple different times and I mentioned it about them maybe being stuck in the light Heights last year. Not really believe in who they are and what they are and why they are this year. AJ it feels like Indiana very much believes in who they are. And to Steve's point, both quarterbacks are good, both sets of wide receivers are good, both defenses. I mean, obviously Ohio State has a potential historic defense, Indiana's defense, I think they're top 10 defense as well. It's. What are your thoughts on kind of the mentality that Indiana has this year and does Ohio State just have that because they're Ohio State and they have to have that even though a lot of their players potentially have never been in this situation?
- [186:07]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I mean I think Ohio State players, they definitely, I think they have a ton of confidence, but they also like understand the deal and they understand that Indiana is absolutely legit. They're not taking them for granted, I would promise you that. But I think Indiana believes like, I think Indiana believes like. What are you talking about? We deserve to be here. Yeah. We are number, number two ranked team in the country and they believe they could be number one. So yeah, I think that's what, what sets up to be an awesome game. And with Stanford, Steve saying that like you might be right, especially what there's these, these stats showing up too, that Himbo saying how much zone coverage Indiana plays. I'm sure they're going to want to want Julian saying to, to take a few chances, you know, instead of just taking your medicine, you know, dinking and dunking your way through. That's what teams would try to do to Aaron Rodgers when I was in Green Bay getting get in zone, let him complete balls in front and we're going to go up, make a tackle and hopefully he tries to take a chance over top and that's when we pick it off or you have a mistake. That's what I would imagine Indiana's defense wants to do. But Ohio State, they're going to want to run the ball. We saw, you saw what happened against Michigan. They ran the ball the whole second half. So I would imagine they want to keep that going.
- [187:06]
Pat McAfee
Lamar, Bo Jackson, unbelievable how fast and quick and his name just incredibly awesome. He's certainly a stud for Ohio State. So you're saying Indiana is going to be a bend but don't break style defense. So maybe they will get yards, but it's going to get stingy down the red zone, is what you're saying, AJ if you're Indiana defense, that's what you're trying to do.
- [187:25]
A.J. Hawk
If I had to predict it or I had to try to play defense against this Ohio State offense. Yeah. Like, hey, let's, let's get them into third and medium, third and long if we can hopefully try to get some pressure on him and try to get Julian saying rattled, which we haven't really seen Julian saying rattle. So. Nope, that's. That's your own.
- [187:40]
Pat McAfee
Isn't that crazy? Yeah. I saw him with his cool hair after that Michigan game and I'm like, this guy's never lost a Michigan. He has no idea. 21, 91 days thing. Like Julian Sainz walking out of Ann Arbor. Hair looks unbelievable, flawless, just did his thing. Favorite to win the Heisman, first year starter. Nobody's really talking about him. He's like losing to Michigan, Never heard of it. And then he just kind of moves. Feels like he's been the most ready for the moment out of anybody, almost.
- [188:03]
Stanford Steve
And that's what I was really happy with being. Did you stay for the tunnel to see the teams last week come out like Michigan was hooting and hollering ohio State. The door open, you heard the music in the locker room and it was just a deadpan down the tunnel. Then they get the ball, first play, double move to Tate. State gets broken up, but you're like, okay, Ohio State's coming out here throwing haymakers. And they always have that in their bag. You know, you saw the one to Jeremiah Smith and they open it up with the one to Tate. The offensive line has given them the ability the. I don't want to take anything away from saying, but his offensive line has kept him protected.
- [188:40]
Pat McAfee
Because everybody else is good around. No, no, no, no, no.
- [188:42]
Stanford Steve
Not at all. I'm just saying they have done a great job of protecting him.
- [188:46]
Pat McAfee
How about not only protecting him, also a Julian saying, we're going to be back next year. We got Chris Henry Jr. On the way. Jeremiah Smith's on the other side. We got this Lamar Bo Jackson guy who's going to be here. I mean, it's just something Max. Claire, does he have any years left? He's gone. He's gone. Okay, so he's tight and I'm sure they'll find another one.
- [189:04]
Stanford Steve
I'm pretty sure that. Who doesn't want to go play in that offensive tight end?
- [189:08]
Connor (Toxic Table)
I mean, good.
- [189:10]
Pat McAfee
Who doesn't want to Play for Ohio State. AJ that is a real thing. Like Chris Henry was legitimately torn, I think, on whether or not will Ohio State still be Ohio State? Because Brian Hartline, who's the wide receiver coach, offense coordinator, who has had that wide receiver pipeline for so damn long. Incredible what he's done. Good luck to him at USF. But Chris Henry Jr. Saying I'm going to stay and go to Ohio State and Ryan Day just operating in a manner as if they are in the middle of a dynasty. It feels like a cool thing to do to have the honor to go to Ohio State at this point, get.
- [189:39]
Stanford Steve
To practice every day with Jeremiah Smith. I mean that's, that's when everybody talks about Heartline in the, in the legacy of that wide receiver room. That's what's made it is the younger guys come in and there's always an older guy that's showing him the reins. And it's just a way about going things in that offense and you learn responsibility, playmaking, ability, accountability, all that stuff is in that room because every guy is better than the next. It's amazing how's it, how it's worked out.
- [190:05]
Pat McAfee
And then he's got Dons on the other side they're playing defense against in every single practice. I mean, AJ It's a good time to be an Ohio State Buckeye brother. Unless Fernando Mendoza says that's us now down there in Indianapolis at the Loud House at the Big Ten championship. Let's pivot away from that. Let's talk about this Big 12 championship game. Obviously, Texas Tech is a team that we have fallen in love with just because the way they've done it, it. Their money people are actual football people. So it's ball money people that are running it. They build up the trenches. They got a great D line, got a great offensive line. Obviously, when Baron Morton's playing, they look different than whenever they had their backup playing for a couple weeks. Texas Tech is stacked. Texas Tech seemingly for the long haul, going to be great. That's good for Lubbock. Byu. Baird Bachmeyer, his worst game was against Texas Tech. Yeah, he's a freshman. Is he able to bounce back? And what happens here, implication wise, there's one spot kind of looming. If BYU is to win this game, obviously that changes a lot. BYU loses this game, there's going to be chaos to get into that college football player.
- [191:03]
Stanford Steve
Oh, man. And it's. What is it? Three teams for one spot? Oh, yeah, yeah. I look at byu, I like the position they're in, having already Played Texas Tech. You talked about how they're stacked on lines of scrimmage. I think it's a huge advantage to have known what you're getting up against and going to their place. Now you're going to neutral site. It's sold out. Jerry World 90 plus thousand. And what I've watched with BYU since that loss is they've taken the reins off Bear Bachmeyer. They come out against TCU the following week. He throws for over 200 yards. He does it with his legs. On the road at a tough game at Cincinnati, they come back down 14 nothing against UCF team who really disrupted him and sacked him four times last week. So I like. And LJ Martin's healthy. LJ Martin is a NFL running back and now you have him full go. They're gonna, Texas tech's gonna get BYU's best shot. You got to figure this is backs against the wall. Every quarterback run is going to be in the playbook. Every trick play you got with LJ and Bear Bachmeyer running the football is in there and they have the receivers to make plays too. So I like the, the, the, the spot that BYU is in. You know, you have to earn it. You've got to win the game to get in the playoff. And I, I think they're gonna, they're gonna get, give Texas Tech all they can handle tomorrow.
- [192:14]
Pat McAfee
12 1/2 point spread is not good news for BYU says the stats from Hembo. You know, double digit underdogs are 10 and 48 all time in conference championship games straight up. And then double digit underdogs From Traditional Power 5 conferences are 4 and 34 all time straight up in conference championship games. So what we're saying is certainly have an opportunity. But whenever the sportsbooks view it as a dominating game for one side in the championship game, it has tended to gone that way. On that note, Texas Tech beat the hell out of byu. Yeah, I mean in Texas Tech I think they're very comfortable against anybody you talk about. Sataki resigns, Joey McGuire resigns. So obviously these are two teams that are going to be the way that they are for the foreseeable future in the Big 12. But Texas Tech is a real deal. And because they're in the Big 12, nobody's really talking about it. AJ I think if they were an SEC team or a Big Ten team, I think they get a lot more chatter. But Texas Tech is, is built the right way if you want to go on a college football playoff national championship run age.
- [193:08]
A.J. Hawk
No, they absolutely are. They're they're hot right now. I wanted to ask Stanford, Steve, like, okay, 12 and a half point in line. Is there a chance that Texas Tech just blows them out of the water here and we have a blowout? Yes, absolutely.
- [193:18]
Stanford Steve
I mean, that's the other thing. BYU did not play well in Lubbock. AJ when you go back and look at the muff punt, they missed the field goal, they shanked the punt, like everything that could go wrong went wrong. Rodriguez had a pick and a four fumble, which he seems to do every single week, and the field position was tilted the whole game. Now, I will say seven red zone possessions, five field goals, two touchdowns. You know, so there was some positive. And they did get after, you know, Morton with pressures in that game. And that's the one thing about Texas Tech that I need to see again. I want to see that offensive line. That, that, that's the, that's what you have to rely on when you go on and play these championship games, road games, neutral site, whatever, your offensive line, your defense have to travel and play well. Texas Tech is up against it tomorrow with all the pressure on them. I'm really interested to see how they defend or how they block BYU knowing that they're playing with their hair on fire and nothing to lose.
- [194:13]
Pat McAfee
Congrats about those team. Big 12's tough, tough conference. Yeah, hard edge has been found, too. And Texas tech won by 49 in their last game against a really difficult, difficult team in a really difficult place. They can certainly turn it on if they want to. And then you're wearing the ole Ms. Quarter Zip here. Just kind of sending a little message to people down in Oxford saying, hey, yeah, we still love you. We still think about you in this entirety. And then also, obviously, Ole Miss looking to get into the SEC Championship in the future with old Pete maybe trying to win national championship. Alabama and Georgia here playing at the SEC Championship. What do you think is the storyline of this game? And why are you wearing and repping for the Ole Miss fox looks, even the polo underneath. I mean, it's a full thing.
- [194:52]
Stanford Steve
We got the deal. I, I'm thinking Ole Miss, man. Like, it's, it's a rough spot to be in.
- [194:56]
Pat McAfee
You got the whole deal.
- [194:57]
Stanford Steve
Trying whole deal. Ken Crane, shut up.
- [195:00]
Pat McAfee
You got the other deal, you got the new deal, you got this deal, you got that deal. But the Ole Miss people have been through it. Yeah, they have been through.
- [195:07]
Nick Saban
Yeah.
- [195:08]
Stanford Steve
And they, and they, they have an opportunity. Imagine if we go there for a home playoff game. That would be insane, but too Bad.
- [195:14]
Pat McAfee
It'd be insane. Lane for some people it'd be a little bit worse, I think than others. You know, I think, I think the Ole Miss people think some of the people up there on a game day set were certainly doing their absolute best to make sure that Lane was going to go elsewhere. I don't think that's the case.
- [195:28]
Stanford Steve
I think, I don't think so.
- [195:29]
Pat McAfee
I think like a lot of the people now granted that's us just knowing them and then obviously you can put together a lot of theories. But I think like in theory is where like Herbie was talking. Like in theory he should be a lot of coaches team. Like he loves his team. He puts his team together. Other six years he's been there, he should be able to do that. The current reality, that was never going to be able to work, I think. So that's certainly the counterpoint to it.
- [195:47]
Stanford Steve
Yeah.
- [195:48]
Pat McAfee
But it's just passionate bunch, passionate conference and Ole Miss this close, I mean to going on a run right now. So it's a wild, wild scene down there. But I appreciate you doing that. Let's talk about this SEC championship game though. Georgia, Alabama, Georgia might be one of the most dominant teams in the country right now.
- [196:02]
Stanford Steve
Yeah. And then it's. I think it's one of the hardest things we have to do when we're doing this on weekly basis. Pat is forgetting what a team looked like the week previous. Georgia did not look good against Georgia Tech. They lose Bobo, their center and after they lose him, all communication is off. Georgia Tech plays some zone. Stockton had trouble with that and Georgia just didn't look like themselves without their front guy making all the calls up front. And then I go back to the time they played Alabama. They played that game without their two starting tackles. So they have to get the run game going. You see the play action that they get going, throwing the balls to the tight end that gets everything going. They like to up tempo. Gunner likes things fast and, and hectic. But last week they got slowed down and they did not look good. And on the other side people want to just want to talk about how Alabama can't run the football. I think they got a pretty darn good defense now. They're not going to have Overton up front, but that's secondary. I, I think a lot like Ohio State where they help out out in the run game where they don't have to line up in the box. They're they're that athletic and fast where they could help out on the run. So Georgia has to Run the ball to keep those guys down. I think with, with the playmakers and I, I still like Alabama on the, on the perimeter with, with Ty throwing the football. My question is, is this the Ryan Williams game? Like where has he been? He needs to. They, they have a huge advantage with their NFL RA receivers against that secondary of Georgia. Georgia's not as bad as they were early in the year. They've got experience. But I still like the NFL players that Ty has to throw with and I think that's the difference in the game.
- [197:33]
Pat McAfee
And I lean towards Bama, Ty Simpson, special arm talent. Obviously whenever you have weapons, you have weapons. Georgia's defense to your point, has though kind of found their way a little bit being able to get to the quarterback, being able to stop the run. This Georgia team has been very good as obviously they're in the SEC championship. Kind of clearly states Kaylin DeBoer as an underdog against big time coaches. Some good stats. Coming out as an underdog, he's three and over as Dan Lanning two and over. Steve Sarkeesian two and over as Kirby Smart. Sorry. He was underdog in six or seven of those games. So DeBoer, I think kind of relishes in the underdog. Nobody thinks we're going to be able to win kind of atmosphere with his team. Maybe they're able to get it done here. And the KO chaos of College Football Playoff doesn't seem to really have an effect on this particular game. But who knows? Who knows? Whenever you talk about it all and then let's talk about the real chaos. Notre Dame, Miami. We had Pete Bavaca on earlier today. I think he did a good job. I think people vacua did a good job. Now Gumpy is a Miami fan because while there's some things he certainly omitted from his case as he was speaking up here and that's kind of the world we're in right. Right now. What do you think is going to be the biggest argument after this weekend? Whenever we talk about starting with 12, counting down to one.
- [198:46]
Stanford Steve
Nice, nice, nice job.
- [198:48]
Pat McAfee
It's. It's almost time.
- [198:49]
Stanford Steve
I was going to say when are you guys going to get going?
- [198:52]
Pat McAfee
We been going. Come on. As much as we should.
- [198:56]
Connor (Toxic Table)
What the hell is that?
- [198:57]
Stanford Steve
Oh, we got an Indiana jersey on Sleepy.
- [199:00]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Oh, we got a. Oh, Ms. Taron. Don't, don't do that.
- [199:05]
Nick Saban
Hey, right.
- [199:06]
Pat McAfee
Sleepy Steve. Sleeping on the countdown, Jake?
- [199:09]
Nick Saban
I am.
- [199:10]
Pat McAfee
I can't believe I'm Sleepy Steve.
- [199:11]
Stanford Steve
Get it cranked up.
- [199:13]
Pat McAfee
Come on, Sleepy Steve.
- [199:14]
Tone (Tony)
I think we should Play every show.
- [199:16]
Ty Schmidt
Been cranking that.
- [199:17]
Pat McAfee
Yes, we have been cranking debt. Yeah, we had. That's good call, Ty.
- [199:22]
Ty Schmidt
Thank you.
- [199:22]
Pat McAfee
We crank that right now.
- [199:24]
Tone (Tony)
Not enough though. We know it. Not enough.
- [199:26]
Ty Schmidt
We need.
- [199:27]
Pat McAfee
Don't be siding with that. No, we should.
- [199:29]
Tone (Tony)
We should start and end every show with it.
- [199:32]
Connor (Toxic Table)
And we need to learn the other lines.
- [199:35]
Stanford Steve
Yeah, you got to lose the other line. Remix.
- [199:38]
Pat McAfee
Already a remix. So what we heard there is a. There was a radio cut, I guess, where there's an extended version with a third verse that we have never heard until last week. We were running the video and then it. Where we thought it stopped, it continued. There was a whole nother surprise for us at the end. So much be a newer song in our eyes. Once again, not enough people respected it for what it was last year, which is a banger.
- [200:03]
Stanford Steve
You got to keep it fresh.
- [200:05]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Well, you're starting with 12, counting down to one. And on that note, who do you think is going to be a part of the big chatter about 12 to 1? The CFP national champion?
- [200:14]
Stanford Steve
Well, here's the deal. I thought it started this past Tuesday with Miami not jumping Notre Dame because now you have two teams that aren't playing this week. And I just don't see how a committee is going to jump a team with either team playing this weekend. So I think it's basically set. I am on the argument for Miami when teams are that even resume record. What else do we have? Oh, they played. Who won. Give me that team. That's the way I feel about it, but I know I'm not gonna. It's not going to play out like that.
- [200:47]
Pat McAfee
That's kind of what Bavaka said. Bavaka said, said they've already decided Notre Dame and Miami. So I understand what everybody's saying. We're a different team now than we were then, which is certainly a valid argument. And the reason why college football would never be able to get 100% right is because there's an argument for every team. If I'm Miami, I'm certainly not happy about it either in its entirety. But Bavaka said it's already been decided. His worry is Alabama. Like he's saying that you need to lump us with Alabama. Both had tough starts, tough losses. Obviously. Florida State vastly different. Different than Miami and Texas A M. But that is who I think. Pete and Notre Dame people are saying we need to be having a convo with as opposed to Miami, even though that's not your reality.
- [201:22]
Stanford Steve
Yeah, but if Alabama wins this game, it's no argument. To me, their resume supersedes anything Notre Dame brings to the table. When you talk about that, what if.
- [201:30]
Pat McAfee
They lose this game?
- [201:31]
Stanford Steve
What if they lose? I could see Notre Dame, you know.
- [201:34]
Pat McAfee
Jumping Alabama, and then people would be like, well, what's the purpose of playing a conference championship?
- [201:38]
Stanford Steve
Understood. Everybody, I mean, are part of the problem.
- [201:40]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Steve.
- [201:41]
Stanford Steve
No, not me.
- [201:41]
Nick Saban
Sleep.
- [201:42]
Pat McAfee
Not me.
- [201:43]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Not me.
- [201:44]
Pat McAfee
Sleepy. Steve. Part of the problem. Unbelievable. All right. I can't wait to see you tomorrow morning, brother. We appreciate the hell out of you.
- [201:50]
Stanford Steve
You ready?
- [201:51]
Pat McAfee
Are you ready?
- [201:52]
Stanford Steve
I can't wait.
- [201:53]
Pat McAfee
What are you asking Lane Kiffin?
- [201:54]
Stanford Steve
I. I'm not on that desk.
- [201:56]
A.J. Hawk
What would you ask him, though? What do you want to ask him?
- [201:58]
Stanford Steve
I want to ask him if he studied Coach Saban or. He's been around him so much that his hand gestures are identical. The press conference was like. I was like, oh, my God, it's coach talking in the meeting.
- [202:12]
Pat McAfee
Oh.
- [202:12]
Stanford Steve
Like the same hand gestures all the time. He even did it with Marty on the. On the tarmac or the trail, wherever the hell they were. The hand gestures are identical.
- [202:21]
Pat McAfee
Okay, So I thought he won that press conference, by the way.
- [202:24]
Kirk Herbstreit
Yeah.
- [202:24]
Pat McAfee
The room laughing showed some empathy. He was trying to get choked up, Ty. Is that what our takeaway was?
- [202:30]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, for sure. Yep. Didn't quite get there, but he. He made a pretty convincing come. Compelling argument that, wow, this guy really cares about this.
- [202:39]
Pat McAfee
And Connor doesn't believe it, obviously. That's a hell of a face right there. But I think what he was trying to send was like, hey, this was a hard decision. Like, he tried to say that a couple different times while also complimenting LSU and telling him they're the number one job in the country, which is what he has to say as the coach of the team. But I think there's going to be a lot of information coming out of his convo tomorrow. I'm excited for that. I'm excited for the championship Saturday. And we love you, Steve. We appreciate the help out of you, man.
- [203:03]
Stanford Steve
I appreciate. You guys have a great weekend.
- [203:05]
Pat McAfee
Thanks. J.
- [203:07]
Not another guy or the other guy or the other. Other guy. It's Stanford.
- [203:18]
Ty Schmidt
What do you think?
- [203:19]
A.J. Hawk
Comment? What do you. You don't. You don't believe that Lane Kiffin was getting choked up?
- [203:22]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Absolutely not. I don't even really want to go into it just because of my true feelings on.
- [203:26]
A.J. Hawk
I'm trying. I don't know. I don't remember seeing or like, I don't remember watching and thinking, like, oh, he's trying to. Trying to get Him.
- [203:32]
Ty Schmidt
It was when he was talking about when he first pulled up and he finally saw a stadium. Wow.
- [203:36]
A.J. Hawk
I think called Coach O as well.
- [203:37]
Ty Schmidt
Felt the power.
- [203:39]
Pat McAfee
This place.
- [203:41]
Called Coacho and said, coacho, I feel like I gotta start talking like you right now, because I'm down here. Is. Is kind of what he said, which kind of goes back to Brian Kelly saying, my family, as soon as you got that, you know, so that's certainly something. All right, boys. What a day. What a Friday. Hey, Listen to Dookie, A.J. on your way back to Ohio, I'll do it again.
- [203:59]
A.J. Hawk
Believe me, I will. It's good. It's got a nice turn.
- [204:02]
Pat McAfee
No sound. Just run the clip. Just run the song.
- [204:05]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, that's it.
- [204:06]
Pat McAfee
Okay.
- [204:06]
A.J. Hawk
I can do that too. Yeah, that's easy.
- [204:08]
Pat McAfee
I had my iPad last night and my phone just running it all night.
- [204:14]
The goal here is to let the algos know on these, you know, these music platforms, because I'm. So we're starting at zero here again, which is cool. That's actually, like, kind of a fun thing. New profession, new brand, new ideas, new canvas, Everything like that. So it's like, letting people. Letting the algorithm in the platforms know that it exists is a big deal. And, yeah, I'm enjoying the hell out of it, man. It's been a very emotional kind of dive through the notes section. Dookie, not so much. Dookie was a freestyle that we decided to make into a song. But, like, all the other songs that are coming in, it's like there's some, you know, there's some history in there, some stories and some mindsets and some messages I hope my daughter hears. So, like, I'm very pumped and thankful for the opportunity from the folks, Ernest and Seth and Big Loud and Deville Records and Jelly Roll piecing this whole thing together. It's like, this has been really cool. Last night was a lot of fun, and I'm very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very thankful to be living a life in which I can try to do these things that I'm such a fan of. And it's crazy, aj. It's crazy life. It's the dumbest life of all time. I'm trying to enjoy it.
- [205:17]
A.J. Hawk
That's awesome, man. And you got to be around, like, it sounds like all the people that you have collabed with that helped you with this, like, are all, like, the top of their game and the best of the best.
- [205:26]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. So I go to the NFL. I have Adam Vinateri in the same, you know, kind of world we go into the Internet space. I get a chance to kind of watch Portnoy as the barstool brand is literally putting rock rocket ships on with investment from private equity and go from barstool from what it was with one floor in New York, two floors in New York, to this conglomerate media company worth billions or whatever the case is. I got a chance to watch that. So it's like everything that I. Greeny was the first one to really put me on tv, so I get to watch him kind of do his. It's like I get very, very, very lucky that I get a chance to watch people who are very good do something.
- [206:03]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Bob Kavoyan, too.
- [206:04]
Pat McAfee
I've tried Bob Kavoin from Bob and Tom. Yes, exactly. Still coming through the office. It's great to see him. It's like I. I've been very lucky that I get a chance to watch goats kind of do their and then try to either, you know, see what I could take from it or see what we can learn from it and try to give it a go. And in the music space, it's like, yeah, Ernest is a hit maker. That's what he makes, hits. He makes good songs. Like, the perfect person to help me out with it all. And then Seth being a co founder of a record label, Big Loud, which the people on Big Louder. Like the people in music right now, like, actually. So, like, for this guy to take time out of his life to be like, nah, man, let's do this. Let's try to make it something. It's like, it's been really cool, man. It's been really cool. And then the music community reaching out to me saying, like, that they're pumped that I'm doing this and like, welcome and all this stuff has been vastly different than basically any other profession that we have kind of dabbled into. So I'm very, very thankful for the music community and very thankful. Thankful for the opportunity. And I would just, if you want to listen to it, certainly give it a go. There's more coming. And get creative with this thing. Get creative. I want to see it. We can't wait to see it. A.J. i love you, man. I appreciate you, boys. Great work this week, boys. Great work this week.
- [207:11]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Congratulations.
- [207:11]
Stanford Steve
Yep.
- [207:12]
A.J. Hawk
Yes.
- [207:12]
Nick Saban
It's awesome.
- [207:13]
Pat McAfee
Behind the glass. Good work, boys. Good work. Foxy. Great editing. Really good stuff.
- [207:17]
A.J. Hawk
Like Kirk said, great job, Foxy. For the Lions win.
- [207:20]
Pat McAfee
Thank you. Congrats.
- [207:24]
Herbie. I love that man. I love that man. Just kind of bouncing around.
- [207:28]
A.J. Hawk
Pete, was Peter really trying to dig underneath the Stage.
- [207:31]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. So the ball fell in there and then so he. He knocked the one stage that was connected to this stage back so he could get down. Turns out that would have been enough room because there's a wall back there. So he kind of almost got stuck as the camera. He's awesome. He's. What I would like to say. I think Peter's an awesome dog.
- [207:47]
Nick Saban
Dog?
- [207:47]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yeah.
- [207:48]
Pat McAfee
I think anybody that's ever met him is like, peter's an awesome dog. Peter's an awesome dog. He is a dog, though. Like, he's a dog dog. Big dog, strong dogs. Loves getting a ball.
- [207:57]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah.
- [207:57]
Pat McAfee
Loves getting a ball. He sees a check ball, check ball, check ball, chuckle, you know, at all times. So I love him. But yeah, he was going to rearrange his whole stadium.
- [208:08]
That is just. That's. That's Peter football there to debone talk and aggressive graphic design. Boys, appreciate all your hard work this week.
- [208:18]
Z Mitt Bill squad. Appreciate you guys. Gumpy. Really good stuff out of you this week.
- [208:24]
Gump. Like that over last night. That first half was obviously a little bit scary. It's nice to go into the weekend with a couple dubs. Hunt. Gump. Yep, more points. And how about the United States soccer? We got a good draw for the World cup, don't we?
- [208:35]
Nick Saban
Unbelievable draw. Australia, Paraguay, and then the winner of.
- [208:38]
Tone (Tony)
A four team playoff between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.
- [208:42]
Pat McAfee
So what does that mean?
- [208:46]
Okay, so Kosovo, Slovakia. Slovakia, I think is what he meant to say. But obviously Canada could pronounce it a little bit differently. We're not 100. Sure. Their hockey team, Australia, how are they? They got. They're big, athletic people. Are they good at the soccer or. No, they're decent at the World cup, but it shouldn't be a problem. As I see it.
- [209:02]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Is it Ray Gun, though?
- [209:06]
Pat McAfee
No, I don't know if Ray Gun's playing, which.
- [209:08]
A.J. Hawk
That was the dancer, right?
- [209:09]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah.
- [209:11]
Pat McAfee
There we go. Here it is. So United States, Australia, Paraguay, and then the European playoff there. We should make it through here, right?
- [209:18]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, it's a great draw.
- [209:20]
Ty Schmidt
Great draw.
- [209:20]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, how many teams do we know?
- [209:24]
Tone (Tony)
32.
- [209:24]
Pat McAfee
Go ahead. No, go ahead, A.J.
- [209:25]
Pete Bavocwa
30.
- [209:26]
A.J. Hawk
So there's 32 teams start. 40 or how many?
- [209:28]
Pat McAfee
48 this time.
- [209:29]
A.J. Hawk
48. Okay, so if we get through this stage, what's it down?
- [209:32]
Pat McAfee
Two.
- [209:33]
A.J. Hawk
How many get out of this stage?
- [209:34]
Stanford Steve
I guess 16.
- [209:35]
Ty Schmidt
Right to a pop now, does one.
- [209:36]
A.J. Hawk
Team get out of this?
- [209:37]
Pat McAfee
32.
- [209:38]
Tone (Tony)
So now. So two teams come out of it. So it did go. It used to be round of 16, but now it's round of 32, then round of 16, obviously.
- [209:46]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Wow.
- [209:47]
Pat McAfee
So the elimination round just adds a whole another game, basically. So in the past, if we made it to the elimination round, it was a huge ordeal, this one. We need to make it to an elimination round and win an elimination game. I think for us to consider this a success, especially with how we feel about this team. Gumpy.
- [210:02]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, I'd say win two because of.
- [210:04]
Pat McAfee
The added teams as well.
- [210:05]
Tone (Tony)
I think with this squad, the way they're playing coming into this, I think, quarterfinals.
- [210:09]
Ty Schmidt
Are we trying to talk in lead eight?
- [210:11]
A.J. Hawk
We're America. We want to win the tournament, don't we? What do we.
- [210:13]
Tone (Tony)
Yeah, you obviously want to win, but. Yeah, I'm just saying, if you got to the quarterfinal, I think that would be good.
- [210:20]
A.J. Hawk
Okay.
- [210:20]
Pat McAfee
Now, I obviously don't believe that we're trying to win the super duper cup cup here. Okay. Gumpy's trying to say what realistic expectations should be for this particular squad versus maybe the rest of the world who's had their coach for longer than three months, like we've had with our guy coming into hosting a World cup cycle. But what Ponche has done is try to find a different group of Americans to play on the soccer team. A more dog like squad.
- [210:42]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yes.
- [210:42]
Pat McAfee
So I think we actually do have the players that could win in those elimination games, as opposed to getting scared in those elimination games, which seems like the personality trait that Ponchi is looking for in the team is like, fighters, dogs, and in those big games will play their best. Connor, is that what you're thinking as well?
- [210:56]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah. Like, to be honest, winning, of course. The whole thing would be great. As long as we don't look like a bunch of bitches.
- [211:02]
A.J. Hawk
I'm good with it.
- [211:03]
Connor (Toxic Table)
You know, if we go out there and we make it through our group, even if we don't make it through our group, if we're, you know, basically snapping necks and taking names, I'm okay with that. Australia, Paraguay, in the country of European playoff off C ends up just limping away from the group. That's how I'll feel good about the entire team.
- [211:23]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah.
- [211:26]
Agreed. Oh, you muted someone mute you to Gump, step on it or Peter, chew on it.
- [211:35]
That one working. Gump, we're still.
- [211:37]
Ty Schmidt
No, we can hear the stadium noises, but not your mic.
- [211:40]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, that's weird.
- [211:43]
Still hear the stadium situation, but not. You guys come sing a little bit.
- [211:49]
No, that's a weird situation.
- [211:51]
Connor (Toxic Table)
That is interesting.
- [211:53]
A.J. Hawk
Nothing.
- [211:54]
Ty Schmidt
No, no.
- [211:54]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, we got. No, we got none of that audio but we have stadium audio. Feels like, right?
- [211:59]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Yeah, yeah, I got stadium audio.
- [212:00]
A.J. Hawk
We're hearing like the.
- [212:01]
Tone (Tony)
Maybe that's.
- [212:03]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yeah, Gump, you might be on your other mic. We're picking it up. Sounds like at your table.
- [212:10]
See if that's the one.
- [212:13]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Peter must have just been gnawing on those.
- [212:16]
A.J. Hawk
Gump ever do any mime work in Canada?
- [212:19]
Tone (Tony)
He did, actually, on Saturday night.
- [212:23]
A.J. Hawk
Are you in a box?
- [212:24]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Where are you?
- [212:24]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, now can you get out of the box?
- [212:26]
Tone (Tony)
Oh, someone's knocking.
- [212:28]
A.J. Hawk
How do you get out of the box? Get out of there.
- [212:29]
Pat McAfee
Answer the door.
- [212:30]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, answer the door.
- [212:32]
Connor (Toxic Table)
Get out of there.
- [212:33]
A.J. Hawk
Gobs, it seems kind of like a one trick pony.
- [212:35]
Tone (Tony)
Oh, he's a robot.
- [212:36]
A.J. Hawk
You're a left handed door opener. There's no door handles on the left side.
- [212:39]
Tone (Tony)
Fit. Oh, there you guys in a European phone booth.
- [212:45]
A.J. Hawk
That's amazing.
- [212:46]
Ty Schmidt
No, we still can't hear you.
- [212:48]
A.J. Hawk
It's pretty amazing.
- [212:49]
Connor (Toxic Table)
All right.
- [212:49]
Tone (Tony)
Yep.