PMT DB
PMT DB
Marcus Freeman, Andy Staples on College Football Preview and Business Jargon
Football is officially back, even if Week 0 was just a tease. Big Cat and PFT opened the show grappling with the reality that DJ Uiagalelei might never actually be the guy we saw at Clemson years ago. Florida State's loss in Ireland was a tough watch, but Big Cat is already finding the silver lining in the new expanded postseason format.
Big CatFlorida State still controls their own destiny despite the Week 0 loss
Florida State has controls their own destiny now. Whereas last year they won all their games and didn't control their own destiny. So they actually control their own destiny even though they lost the first game. So they're not out of it.
The guys also caught up on the preseason finale, specifically Jim Harbaugh's legendary elevator incident. Getting stuck in a hot elevator for two hours is a nightmare for most, but for Harbaugh, it was a "test of wills" that proved Justin Herbert is a biological marvel who doesn't sweat through his shirt. Big Cat is so moved by the grit that he’s eyeing a Super Bowl flyer.
Big CatI might bet the Chargers to win the Super Bowl because Jim Harbaugh makes players harder to break
I might put a little something on the Chargers just because not to win the AFC West, but to maybe just win the Super Bowl because Harbaugh, the guy just does things like this... Friday was a key step in the team getting good at making yourself harder to break.
MLB Absurdity and Who's Back
While the world waits for the NFL kickoff, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are putting up video game numbers. Ohtani joining the 40/40 club in record time has the guys wondering if we’re about to see the greatest statistical season in the history of the sport.
PFT CommenterShohei Ohtani has a legitimate chance to become the first player in MLB history to go 50-50
No one's ever been to the 50-50. So he has a legitimate chance to go 50-50. He could get 50-50 on this.
Who’s Back featured a heavy dose of Oasis reunion rumors and Jameis Winston being the ultimate vibes merchant. PFT is convinced that even if Jameis never touches the field for the Browns, his pre-game speeches alone justify his salary.
PFT CommenterJameis Winston is worth $4 million a year just for his pre-game speeches and vibes
His pre-game speech videos continued to go viral... he gets paid $4 million a year and I think if he only acts as a motivational speaker, he's worth $4 million a year to have on retainer. It is worth paying Jameis Winston $4 million a year just for vibes.
Things got a bit more serious with conference realignment talk. The rumors of UConn moving to the Big 12 have the guys split. While the basketball would be legendary, Big Cat is holding onto the soul of the Big East with both hands.
Big CatI want UConn to stay in the Big East because conference realignment is ruining the sport
I want UConn to stay in the Big East. But I also realize that the Big 12 would just be so fucking good with basketball... But I don't want to happen. UConn should be in the Big East. They're home right now. Let's leave them home.
Marcus Freeman on the Fighting Irish
Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman joined the show to talk about their new Peacock series and the upcoming season. He’s a guy who clearly gets the "Notre Dame fit," but he did run into some turbulence when Big Cat started grilling him on his fourth-quarter analytics. Freeman isn't quite ready to buy into the "go for two when down 14" math just yet.
Big CatIf you are down 14 in the 4th, you must go for two after the first touchdown
Quick analytics question for you. You're down 14 and it's the fourth quarter and you score with three and a half minutes left. Are you going for two... [Freeman says kick]... That's wrong. It's a math thing... you go for two. If you get it the first time, then you can win the game with an extra point. If you don't get it, the analytics say you're gonna get it the second time statistically.
As the Irish prepare to head into the buzzsaw that is Kyle Field, Freeman seems unfazed by the 12th Man. He’s banking on his team’s preparation and the new coach-to-player comms to keep things quiet.
Marcus FreemanIf Notre Dame executes correctly, the crowd noise at Kyle Field won't be as big of a factor
We've played in some tough environments, but the thing about it, you have to prepare for it... something unique this year is that we have the coach to player communication... At the end of the day, if we execute, it won't be as loud as we think it's gonna be.
College Football Preview with Andy Staples
Our good friend Andy Staples stopped by to help us make sense of the new 12-team playoff and the super-conferences. Andy is much higher on the post-Saban Crimson Tide than the general public, noting that the sheer volume of "aliens" on the roster hasn't changed just because Kalen DeBoer is in charge.
Andy StaplesAlabama will not drop off in talent significantly following Nick Saban's retirement
I'm much higher on Alabama than I think most people are. I don't think they drop off that much. I remember going up there in the spring and just looking at the amount of aliens walking around on the field. It hasn't changed... They're still top three in talent in the whole country.
Andy also highlighed the absolute "National Title or Bust" pressure cooker currently surrounding Ryan Day in Columbus. With the talent they’ve accumulated, including freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, there is zero margin for error.
Andy StaplesOhio State has zero excuses and must win the National Title this year
They really is no excuse. Not only should they win the Big 10, they should win the national title. There's no excuse. It is national title or bust. You're not really gonna miss Marv [Marvin Harrison Jr.] because they have Jeremiah Smith.
Before letting him go, Andy gave us his dark horse picks and playoff locks. He’s officially driving the Avery Johnson bandwagon at Kansas State and thinks the Big 12 is going to be the most entertaining conference in the country for pure chaos.
Andy StaplesKansas State is my pick to win the Big 12 championship and earn a playoff bye
My number four seed is my Big 12 champ. I am going with Kansas State though... I've been driving the Avery Johnson bandwagon, I'm gonna keep driving it.
Mount Rushmore of Business Jargon
Hank brought in his dad as a ringer to help him close the gap on PFT in the standings. They tackled the most annoying phrases in the corporate world, from "circling back" to "putting a pin in it." It turns out the Taco Bell corporate ecosystem was a goldmine for these hilariously empty phrases. Max tried to keep up, but since he's never had a real job, he mostly just picked things he says in emails when he's trying to ignore people.
Just remember to touch base with your local thought leader before you try to pick up jello in a moving parts situation.
