The Ryen Russillo Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Are the Eagles the New Chiefs? And Herbert Defenders, Stand Up! Plus, Todd McShay on Improved Indiana, Scary Miami, and More
Release Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Ryen Russillo (Ryan R)
Guests: Todd McShay, Ceruti, Kyle
Podcast: The Ryen Russillo Podcast (The Ringer)

Episode Overview

This jam-packed episode sees Ryen Russillo break down a wild NFL and college football weekend, focusing on the Philadelphia Eagles’ miraculous comeback and whether they’re morphing into the league's next perennial power. Ryen also spotlights Justin Herbert’s jaw-dropping game-tying throw, questions around quarterback narratives, and brings in Todd McShay for a deep dive on surging Indiana, Miami’s ferocious defense, and a host of intriguing college football odds and ends. The show closes with the trademark “Life Advice” segment, tackling everything from youth sports to tricky wedding guest lists.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Philadelphia Eagles' Comeback: Are They the New Chiefs?

• Struggles and Turnaround: The Eagles were down 26-7 to the Rams at halftime, with the offense sputtering (34 total yards passing, several three-and-outs) and fans booing. Ryen admits to doubting Jalen Hurts and even “workshopping wild ideas” like: "Would the Eagles be better with Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith?" (08:00).
• Second Half Heroics: Jalen Hurts flipped the narrative:
  • Last four drives: 16/23 for 260 yards, 3 TDs.
  • Noteworthy play: Hurts finds DeVonta Smith on 4th and goal to cap a 17-play, 91-yard drive when it was needed most.
  • Defensive line dominance: Key 4th-and-1 stop and a blocked game-winning field goal attempt.
• Big Picture Take:
  • Ryen: “On a Monday where they pull out another game and their defensive line that they’ve invested so much draft capital in shows up in a big way... The Eagles remain undefeated. This is what the Chiefs did last year.” (16:55)
  • Caveats: Saquon Barkley is a shell of his former self. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith are strangely low in targets. Something still feels “off” despite the wins.

2. Justin Herbert: Why the Defenders Stand Up

• Signature Moment: Chargers down late to Denver. Herbert, under heavy pressure—“His whole body is contorted, Benito all over his throwing arm, and he throws a 20-yard TD to Keenan Allen to tie the game.” (19:00)
• Defending the Herbert Faithful:
  • "That throw is why we defend him. We're not hipsters. We just appreciate beauty because that is one of the all-timers." (20:35)
  • Ryen acknowledges Trent Green calling Herbert the best QB in the NFL is “aggressive,” but moments like this keep the pro-Herbert segment strong.
• Best/Worst Win:
  • Best win: Philadelphia’s comeback.
  • Worst loss: Atlanta’s 30-0 loss to Carolina.

3. NFL Fast Takes

• Green Bay’s Ugly Loss: Blown lead to Cleveland; Jordan Love’s brutal interception (“So bad, it had to be a miscommunication. That’s the only explanation.”) (22:00)
• Cleveland’s rise: Stefanski’s Browns quietly boast elite home record vs. winning teams.
• Block Party: Field goal block madness dominated close games across the league.

4. College Football Breakdown — With Todd McShay (22:09)

A. Indiana Hoosiers: Real Power or Mirage?

• Ryen beams: “I’ve had this team’s back... This is a powerhouse out there in Bloomington.”
• Todd McShay on Indiana’s leap:
  • “Last year, best-coached but low ceiling. This year is totally different. The offensive line is better, defensive front is better. Got after Illinois, seven sacks. Mendoza, their QB, efficient with RPO—if he develops, watch out.” (24:00)
  • “I think they’re one of the 12 best teams in the country. Glad the AP put them at 9 this week.”
• Receivers and RBs: “Those receivers are fearless, nasty, catch everything... Kaylon Black averaged almost 9 yards per carry.” (25:45)
• Remaining schedule: Tough games vs. Oregon, Penn State, Iowa. Todd would “consider picking them” over Penn State.

B. Miami Hurricanes: Defense is BACK

• Miami jumps to #2 in the AP; Todd McShay hypes new D-coordinator Corey Heatherman:
  • “Discipline, violence, flying to the football—six, seven, eight hats every tackle. Like, this is an identity shift.” (29:44)
  • “Reuben Bain playing like a top-10 pick, Mesadore with 2.5 sacks, 20+ QB pressures vs. Florida.”
• Ryen: “This defense is so scary. It's a moist Miami night... you just feel it.”
• Upcoming: After a bye, a showdown at Florida State feels like “throwback FSU-Miami with everything at stake.” (33:05)
• Todd: “It's never really about the Heisman QB. The best dynasties—Georgia, Bama, Miami—are built on defenses like this.”

C. Texas Tech, Utah, and National Landscape

• Texas Tech: “Defensively, they’re elite. Will Hammond, a young QB, brings juice—could be a tough choice for coach Joey McGuire.” (40:09)
• Utah’s John Henry Daly: Ryen flags him as a breakout sophomore DE to track (“Just put him on the watch list!”).
• Todd’s rankings: He’d move Texas Tech and Indiana ahead of Texas, and “maybe” over A&M.

Other College Notes

• Oklahoma: “With five starting WRs out and that o-line? You can’t boo Jackson Arnold! That D is for real.”
• USC: Lincoln Riley returning to more run-heavy play-action; defense “not Miami/Ohio State-caliber, but improved.” (53:26)
• Quarterback Draft Class: Caleb Williams shines vs. Dallas, but Ryen cautions against getting over-hyped by one big stat line due to weak defense.

5. Life Advice Segment (57:02)

A. Youth Sports Specialization

• Letter from a dad with a 6-year-old choosing between basketball (loves) and baseball/golf (has elite skills).
  • Panel: Let the kid play what he loves at 6—“At this age, just let him be happy & have fun.” (60:51)
  • Kyle: “If he’s really a Tony Gwynn at 6, that’ll still be there in a few years. Don’t beat yourself up about scholarships at 6.”
  • Ryen: “Install a home batting cage/driving range if you want to nurture the talent without the time commitment.” (63:59)

B. Cutting Down Your Wedding Guest List

• Couple struggles with 140+ potential invitees for a 120-person venue; family mostly on the East Coast, wedding in Portland, OR.
  • Advice:
    • Get family to softly poll older relatives for likely attendance.
    • OK to have a “B-tier” guest list—most people understand.
    • “Old people may surprise you. Sometimes it's their last ride. They'll show up and party!” (71:40)
    • Stagger invitations; older guests usually RSVP quickly.
  • Bonus: “Add something fun to your wedding, like a word search puzzle with facts about the couple.” (75:49)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Eagles’ comeback:
  “The thing that hurts detractors would say he couldn’t carry a team just throwing the ball in the air—well, he did exactly that. Those last four drives, that’s as good as it gets.” — Ryen Russillo (13:50)
• On Herbert’s throw:
  “We're not hipsters. We just appreciate beauty because that is one of the all-timers.” — Ryan R (20:35)
• On Indiana’s leap:
  “It's just different. Seven sacks... Mendoza so efficient. I think they’re one of the 12 best teams.” — Todd McShay (24:00)
• On Miami’s defense:
  “Every...time Miami makes a tackle, they rally to the football as well as any defense in the country.” — Todd McShay (29:44)
• On youth sports pressure:
  “If he loves basketball, let him play basketball. Don’t push a 6-year-old toward anything. He’s not going to hate baseball yet.” — Ceruti (61:28)
• On 'B-tier' wedding invites:
  “I don’t think the B-tier thing is as offensive as some people think... I’ve been on the B-tier end and have no problem with it.” — Ceruti (74:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Eagles-Rams Game Recap: 03:00–16:55
• Herbert’s Signature Throw & NFL Best/Worst Week: 16:55–22:05
• Green Bay/Cleveland & NFL Miscellany: 22:05–22:55
• College Football—Indiana & McShay: 22:09–29:00
• Miami’s Defensive Emergence: 29:00–37:40
• Texas Tech, Utah, & College National Takes: 37:48–46:00
• Oklahoma/USC/Washington Takeaways: 47:19–54:14
• Life Advice Segment (with Ceruti & Kyle): 57:02–78:54

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Ryen Russillo’s signature blend of sharp analysis, irreverent humor, and self-deprecation. The dialogue is brisk, direct, and loaded with stats and pop culture references. Todd McShay brings NFL scouting-level detail to college football, geeking out on tape and positional development. Ceruti and Kyle keep the “Life Advice” section breezy, relatable, and unpretentious.

Final Word

Overall, this edition of The Ryen Russillo Podcast packs in big-picture football analysis, niche insights on emerging teams and players, and the kind of life wisdom and banter that regular listeners love. Whether you're looking for who might be the new powerhouse in the NFL, a sneaky dark horse in college football, or some level-headed advice on sports parenting and wedding invites, this episode has something for every diehard sports fan.