The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Episode: Belichick-Brady Legacy Update, Arch’s Struggles, Bama In Trouble, and More from CFB Week 1 With Todd McShay and Danny Kanell
Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Ryen Russillo
Guests: Todd McShay, Danny Kanell

Overview

The episode dives deep into the biggest talking points from college football’s Week 1 in 2025, including the much-anticipated—but disappointing—debut of Arch Manning at Texas, LSU’s statement road win at Clemson, Florida State’s stunning upset of Alabama, and a range of quarterback performances and program outlooks. NFL legend Bill Belichick’s college debut at UNC, legacy talk about Belichick and Brady, and campus stories round out a football-rich discussion. Todd McShay provides detailed breakdowns of quarterback play and team performances, while Danny Kanell reports from the ground in Tallahassee on FSU’s massive win.

Episode Highlights & Key Segments

1. Week 1 College Football Recap & Major Storylines

(00:30–24:30)

• Ohio State’s Stifling Defense vs. Texas & Arch Manning’s Debut

  • Ohio State’s defense retains its dominance from last year, highlighted by its nation-leading stop rate against a high-caliber schedule.
    • Russillo: “Their stop rate was 78.5%—best in the country—finishing at 16 games, four top-9 opponents.” (04:40)
  • Matt Patricia’s defensive gameplan made Arch Manning deeply uncomfortable: “Arch was never comfortable for three and a half hours.” (06:00)
  • Texas’ offense struggled mightily on 4th down; the closer they got to the goal line, “the more pointless it feels.” (07:10)

• Poll Position & Early Debates

  • Russillo predicts voters will make Ohio State No. 1 in the polls, with rationale for LSU at No. 2 after an impressive road win at Clemson.
    • “I wouldn’t scream about it, although I think the LSU argument is fair…” (09:40)

• Arch Manning in the Spotlight

  • Arch’s struggles become a national talking point, with enormous scrutiny and “nepotism” chatter.
  • Russillo: “We’re just not allowed to compliment anybody after a disappointing loss…if he was above average, we’d talk entirely differently.” (14:15)
  • Texas’ defense was a bright spot, holding Ohio State to 14 points and 2.3 yards per carry.

• LSU’s Win at Clemson: Quarterbacks & Defensive Upgrades

  • Both Klubnik (Clemson) and Nussmeier (LSU) trusted by their OCs; Russillo describes LSU’s Nussmeier as “one of the few QBs where it’s 3rd and 10 and you still feel like you have a chance.” (17:40)
  • LSU's improved secondary enables DC Blake Baker to dial up aggressive blitzes: “The upgrades…the best part…now you’re talking about an entirely different ceiling.” (19:00)
  • Russillo highlights Harold Perkins’ playmaking and defensive impact.

• Florida State’s Upset Over Alabama

  • From preseason top-10 to double digit losses for Bama, Russillo dissects the program’s decline, emphasizing lack of defensive discipline: “They looked average—but weren’t just average, they were awful.” (22:30)
  • Offensive line underperforms; Ty Simpson is pressured throughout.
  • The show reflects on post-Saban expectations and Alabama’s loss of “benefit of the doubt” nationally.

2. The Belichick-Brady Legacy, UNC’s College Debut, and Depth Chart Hijinks

(23:45–25:40)

• Belichick’s College Coaching Debut
  • Russillo details Belichick’s signature style, including empty depth charts and recruiting “70 new players.”
    • “Bill’s meme says ‘coach them kids.’ Still advantage Bill.” (25:20)
  • Russillo pokes fun at legacy debates: “I feel like we’re coming close to a conclusion on the Bill and Tom legacy ranking updates...” (25:36)

3. QB Deep Dive & Game Film Analysis with Todd McShay

(24:31–59:17)

Arch Manning’s Performance vs. Ohio State

(24:31–34:15)

• McShay: “It was disappointing. Let’s start with that...he kind of sucked and he knows it.” (24:35)
• Details mechanical/footwork issues and misses on routine throws: “Why are the mechanics not good on those throws?” (25:53)
• Attributes much of Manning’s struggles to Ohio State’s sophisticated defense and the learning curve for new starters: “That Ohio State defense might be top two or three in the country.” (26:30)
• Predicts improvement over the next four or five weeks: “It’s not week one to week two, it’s the first four to five weeks with a quarterback.” (29:26)

Other QB Standouts and Program Notes

• Ohio State’s Julian Sayin: Assignment was “don’t muck it up.” McShay and Russillo agree he quietly handled the pressure. (31:01)

• LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier: McShay compares his field command to Andrew Luck:

  • “He was magical, man…He’s kind of setting a new bar.” (36:17)

• Clemson’s Klubnik: Veteran poise, but OL issues persist.

• LSU’s Offensive Line: Despite turnover, “held up against personnel with multiple top-10 picks.” (37:48)

• Miami & Carson Beck:

  • McShay details Beck’s turnaround and fit at Miami: “He said after the game this place has allowed me to fall in love with football again.” (44:06)
  • Russillo on media narratives: “The sell job from the programs on their quarterbacks for those week one storylines. You think every one of these guys is eligible for sainthood.” (45:03)

• Freshman Sensations and Breakout Performers:

  • Malachi Tony (Miami): “How have we gone 35 minutes without talking about this Malachi Tony kid?” (48:14)
  • Lenoris Sellers (South Carolina): Both hosts note his immense progress and potential, though schedule is “brutal.” (52:07)

4. CFB Landscape Discussions & Conference Strength

(59:17–99:55)

On the Ground: Danny Kanell Reports from FSU’s Win

(60:41–72:10)

• Kanell describes “memory for a lifetime” storming the field with his daughters, emphasizing the emotional afterglow for FSU fans.
• Authentic reporting on how FSU coaches and staff felt confident going in (“We’ve been balling out in training camp…Castellanos is a difference maker.”)
• Dissects the Gus Malzahn hire: “Exactly what Mike Norvell would have wanted from this pairing.” (69:04)
• Offensive scheme discussion: How old-school triple option concepts are creating matchup nightmares for defenses.

Alabama’s Program Identity Crisis

• Analyzes lack of discipline, offensive line struggles, and the failed transition post-Saban:
  • Russillo: “This version of Alabama looks like a couple years removed [from Saban] already…” (67:01)

Miami-Notre Dame, Texas Projections, and Conference Outlook

• Kanell says Miami’s win over Notre Dame is comparable to FSU’s win over Bama; both programs’ QBs impressed him (Carr for ND, Beck for Miami). (80:47)
• Texas’ playoff hurdles: Kanell expresses doubt that Arch Manning can survive a rough schedule in year one.

National Conference Props

• Kanell and Russillo both praise the ACC and SEC teams for “playing someone with a pulse.”
• Discusses Utah’s emergence, Tennessee’s QB transition, and Pac-12/Big 12 shakeups.
• McShay: “LSU and Ohio State are the best two teams in the country. 1-2.” (33:24)

5. Quick Hits, Memorable Quotes & Humor

• On social media and college football hype:
  • Russillo: “We’re just not allowed to compliment anybody after a disappointing loss.” (14:15)
• On TV narratives:
  • Russillo: “It's the Monday Night Football theory…If you're a QB in that gray area and you have a huge night, we all ask if you’re underrated Tuesday…” (85:54)
• McShay, on Ohio State’s QB situation:
  • “His assignment was to not muck it up.” (31:05)
• Kanell, on the FSU/Alabama field storm:
  • “After experiencing it, [I have a] whole new appreciation for just the experience it is.” (61:19)
• On conference “credit”:
  • Kanell: “I want to give anybody credit that played somebody with a pulse.” (93:10)

6. Life Advice & Lighter Segments

(99:55–131:16)

• Humorous Banter:
  • The Life Advice panel discusses topics including rabbit maintenance, saltwater pools, and the etiquette of accidentally getting a free TV from Target (“I might have never seen that email!” – Kyle, 120:25).
• Advice Highlight:
  • On facing childish insults in public:
    • Ceruti: “As a 10 to 12 year old, if you call them a virgin, they’ll still be upset about it.”
  • Funny email stories: mistakenly received golf clubs, kids at airports, and the etiquette of responding to a petty ex at a citizenship ceremony.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• McShay, on Arch Manning’s debut:

  “He kind of sucked and he knows it...His footwork was not what it needed to be. He missed too many throws that have to be layups.” (24:35–25:50)

• Russillo, on social media reaction to Arch:

  “He was starting to see some brawny nepotism arguments...I haven’t yet. And wait until the Bronnie fans find out who’s been the holder at Clemson for the last nine years.” (14:55)

• McShay, on Nussmeier:

  “We always talk about field general in control—now that’s what it looks like.” (36:17)

• Kanell, recapping the scene in Tallahassee:

  “There was a little bit of panic that was setting in there...My daughter was missing on the field, but it was a memory for a lifetime, for sure.” (63:00)

• Russillo, on Alabama’s aura loss:

  “They looked average—but weren’t just average, they were awful. Maybe Florida State is just really good, but they got their asses kicked.” (22:30)

• McShay, on Miami QB Carson Beck:

  “This place has allowed me to fall in love with football again.” (44:06)

Episode Flow & Tone

The tone is analytical with flashes of humor, humility, and candid banter between seasoned analysts. Russillo moves from rigorous statistical breakdowns and program insights to relatable fan observations and cultural commentary on college football and TV narrative. Contributions from McShay and Kanell are rich in X’s and O’s, quarterback analysis, and unique stories from the ground—making the show equally insightful for passionate fans and casual observers.

Key Timestamps

• 00:30 – Opening recap: Ohio State, Arch Manning, LSU, Clemson, FSU upsets Bama
• 09:40 – AP Poll & Week 1 overreactions
• 14:15 – Arch Manning media scrutiny
• 17:40 – LSU/Clemson QBs & defensive upgrades
• 22:30 – Alabama’s collapse at FSU
• 25:20 – Belichick’s college debut, UNC drama
• 24:31 – Todd McShay joins: Arch Manning analysis
• 36:17 – Nussmeier’s field command
• 44:06 – Carson Beck’s Miami fit
• 60:41 – Danny Kanell joins: FSU’s “memory for a lifetime”
• 67:01 – Alabama’s post-Saban identity crisis
• 80:47 – Miami/Notre Dame analysis
• 88:31 – Texas playoff outlook
• 99:55 – Life Advice & closing humor

Summary

This episode delivers a comprehensive, nuanced, and highly engaging breakdown of college football’s opening week, capturing the drama on and off the field. The measured skepticism, data-driven analysis, and real-world fan perspectives provide listeners with a clear sense of college football’s shifting power dynamics, quarterback development issues, and the cultural undercurrents fueling fan passion—from Tallahassee’s electric Saturday to the Monday night curiosity of Belichick at UNC.

With memorable quotes, sharp insights, and plenty of laughs, this episode sets the tone for a compelling 2025 season.

Listen for:

• In-depth breakdown of Arch Manning’s struggles against Ohio State and projections for his development
• Detailed assessment of top QBs, defensive personnel, and team ceilings with expert scouting context
• Firsthand reporting from FSU’s massive win over Alabama via Danny Kanell
• Entertaining closing Life Advice for fans needing both football therapy and life lessons

For those who missed it: This episode is your essential guide to everything that matters coming out of college football’s first week—delivered with the sharp wit and candid expertise that defines the Ryen Russillo Podcast.