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Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell, 1 Question With Kenny Pickett, USMNT Advances, CFB Playoffs And More

Wednesday, November 30, 202217 takes

Big Cat has jinxed himself and lost his voice again (apologies). We talk World Cup and the USMNT advancing to the knockout stage (-). CFB playoff scenarios and rivalry week recap. MNF and Jeff Saturday Vs The Clock (-). Hot Seat/Cool Throne including Liver King using steroids (-). Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell joins the show to talk about his season, his career in the NFL, Kirk Cousins and more (-). 1 question with a Quarterback with Kenny Pickett after his big MNF win (-). We finish with guys on chicks and pick a lottery ball winner from cyber Monday (-).

Kevin O’Connell on Kirk Cousins, USMNT Advances, and Liver King Exposed

Big Cat has lost his voice again, which is a classic football season jinx, but the energy remains high because the lads are through. The USMNT took care of business against Iran, and PFT is ready to lead the parade despite some questionable second-half tactics from Gregg Berhalter.

Win
Nov 30, 2022
#25481
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Using prevent defense only prevents you from winning

When you go to prevent defense, the only thing it does, it prevents yourself from winning. So Greg [Berhalter], if you're listening against the Dutch or the Netherlands or the Holland or whatever you want to call 'em, don't park the bus. Keep your foot on the gas. Be free, live free. Have the American spirit flowing through you.

The USMNT lost to the Netherlands 3-1 in the knockout stage, largely due to defensive lapses and an inability to maintain offensive pressure.

With Christian Pulisic sacrificing his future children for a goal, the vibes are at an all-time high heading into the knockout stage. PFT isn't just happy to be here; he’s already looking four years into the future for the ultimate American soccer peak.

Open
Nov 30, 2022
#914
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I guarantee a USMNT World Cup championship in 2026

This is mission accomplished. It's a win. Anything else on top of that is gravy. We won the World Cup today by advancing outta the group stage because it was never supposed to be us this year anyways. In 2026, that's when the boys spread their wings and become a butterfly. And that's, I'm guaranteeing personally a United States World Cup championship in 2026.

The 2026 World Cup has not yet occurred.

College Football Chaos and Rivalry Week

Michigan absolutely emasculated Ohio State for the second year in a row, and the College Football Playoff debate is heating up. Big Cat is firmly in the camp that the current top four should be locked in, regardless of what happens in the conference championship games, mostly because he wants to see new blood like TCU and a revitalized USC program in the mix.

Loss
Nov 30, 2022
#915
Big CatBig Cat

The current top four teams should stay in the College Football Playoff regardless of conference championship outcomes

What I'm gonna say though is I think it should be the four that are in right now [Georgia, Michigan, TCU, USC]. I think it should be those four. You shouldn't get penalized for playing an extra game while the other people are sitting on their couch. I would love for it to be this four.

USC lost their conference championship and was replaced by Ohio State in the final rankings.

While the committee might be looking for any excuse to slide Alabama or Ohio State back into the top four, PFT has a much more chaotic suggestion for who should get a shot if the Trojans stumble against Utah.

Loss
Nov 30, 2022
#25482
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

If USC loses, Tulane should be put in the College Football Playoff

USC loses put Tulane in. That's what I'm gonna say. Willie Fritz got the boys going.

USC did lose the Pac-12 Championship to Utah, but the committee selected one-loss Ohio State for the final playoff spot instead of Tulane.

Speaking of Ohio State, the guys didn't hold back on Ryan Day. The narrative has completely flipped from Day being a prodigy to him being the guy who inherited a Ferrari and drove it into a ditch while Jim Harbaugh built a bully in Ann Arbor.

Void
Nov 30, 2022
#916
Big CatBig Cat

Ryan Day has set the Ohio State football program back 15 years

Jim Harbaugh said Ryan Day was born on third and thought he had a triple because he took Urban Meyer's machine that dominated Michigan every single year and he basically put it [the program] back 15 years in a matter of two. Like they're back, they're back before trestle. Like it's crazy how that happened so fast.

This is a subjective assessment of a coaching tenure and program trajectory.

Hot Seat/Cool Throne: Liver King and The Rock

Hot Seat/Cool Throne featured a massive update on Liver King, who was exposed for allegedly spending over $100k a year on performance-enhancing drugs. This shocked absolutely no one who has ever looked at him, but Big Cat is willing to offer a path to redemption if the Primal King just comes clean about the "injury recovery" angle.

Win
Big CatBig Cat

I will take Liver King back if he admits he used steroids and was just trying to recover from injury

If he just says like, yeah, guys, I'm 50 years old... I needed this stuff to like, you know, come back. Like if he basically does the, I was injured and I wanted to get back with the team real fast. Like, if he does that, I'll take him back. I'll be like, what? Fuck it, dude. Like at least you're honest now.

Liver King did eventually admit to steroid use and apologized.

Meanwhile, PFT is officially out on The Rock. Between the manufactured social media moments and the constant "Upworthy" headline energy, the guys are missing the authentic chaos of Stone Cold Steve Austin drinking beers on a ranch.

Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Rock is becoming unlikable because he is too manufactured and 'too likable'

At this point I regret to inform you that I think I'm out on the Rock... he seems like he's turned his entire life into a living breathing Upworthy headline... the Rock is still like probably one of the more likable people in the world... I saw this and I was like, that's too far. You've lost me The Rock. You've entered the weird online celebrity like John Legend, Chrissy Tegan era of I have to root a little bit against you now. You're too likable.

Public perception and 'likability' are subjective.

Kevin O’Connell and Kenny Pickett

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell joined the show for a great interview where Jake had to read Big Cat's questions. They covered the Vikings' insane ability to win close games despite a negative point differential and O'Connell's philosophy on aggressive play-calling. He's a believer in the analytics, especially when it comes to chasing the lead after scoring while down 14.

Void
Nov 30, 2022
#920
Kevin O'ConnellKevin O'Connell

I prefer to go for two when down by 14 and scoring a touchdown

This is one I've come around on. I think you go for two just because you then know exactly the circumstances that you're kind of going into games with... now you get two opportunities to get those two points. And if you're able to get 'em on the first time, now you obviously know that your six points down with the ability to score and win on that next extra point.

This is a statement of coaching philosophy.

O'Connell also gave plenty of flowers to his divisional rival, Justin Fields, acknowledging that the Bears' signal-caller is a problem for the rest of the NFC North for years to come.

Loss
Nov 30, 2022
#25487
Kevin O'ConnellKevin O'Connell

Justin Fields is a special player who is going to be a franchise-changing quarterback for the Bears

I'll tell you what [Justin Fields] is, he's a special player... I think he's gonna be, you know, a a franchise changing quarterback for that organization and something we're gonna have to deal with two times a year for hopefully a long time. If I, I get to be the head coach of this team for a long time, so can't say enough good things about where he's at and his development this year.

Justin Fields was eventually traded to the Steelers after the 2023 season, so he did not remain the long-term franchise quarterback for the Bears.

We also caught up with Kenny Pickett for "One Question With a Quarterback" following his big Monday Night Football win. Between Jersey Jerry's showering habits and the size of Kenny's hands, the most impressive stat might be how long he's gone without a single blister.

Win
Nov 30, 2022
#921
Kenny PickettKenny Pickett

I've not had a blister on my hands since junior year of high school baseball

Maybe baseball. I used to swing a baseball bat. Maybe I got a blister playing baseball in high school. So junior year of high school.

The speaker is stating a personal fact about his own history.

Hopefully, Big Cat’s voice returns before the Packers game, or we're in for a very quiet Sunday of being owned by Aaron Rodgers.

nflworld-cupcollege-footballvikingssteelersliver-king

More Takes

Loss
Nov 30, 2022
#25483
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Spencer Rattler and Bo Nix are both going to be awesome NFL quarterbacks

I think the, the big takeaway from these last two weeks of college football is... I was right originally and I was only wrong about being right too soon. That Spencer Rattler and Bo Nix are both gonna be awesome NFL quarterbacks.

Spencer Rattler went 1-7 as Saints starter in 2025 with only 4 TDs in 7 games, while Bo Nix was inconsistent despite leading Denver to a division title. Neither has proven to be an 'awesome NFL quarterback.' Rattler has been particularly poor, and Nix, while better, had major inconsistency issues.
Void
Nov 30, 2022
#25484
Big CatBig Cat

Luke Fickell is the best possible hire for Wisconsin; he is what the program does well on steroids

Luke Fickell... I couldn't be happier. I'm over the moon. I actually think... it can't be a better hire in my mind. Luke Fickell is like what Wisconsin does well on steroids in terms of, he can get the developmental part where it's like three and four, three stars, two stars, three stars, four stars making those guys NFL players.

This is a subjective evaluation of a coaching hire's fit and potential long-term success.
Void
Nov 30, 2022
#917
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I don't mind Jeff Saturday's late-game clock management against the Steelers

I'm gonna say something controversial. I don't mind what Jeff Saturday did at the end of the game. I don't mind it because he had three timeouts and if that drive had kept going in, he probably would've used him at that point... He had enough timeouts that he could have if his back was against the wall.

The take is subjective as it's an opinion on coaching philosophy.
Void
Nov 30, 2022
#25485
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

George Pickens is the one wide receiver in the NFL who can catch any ball thrown to him

Can Pickens is good. And that Pickens is probably the one wide receiver that I think could catch any ball throw[n]. He's got the widest catch radius... his catch radius is as wide as an African elephant.

While Pickens is known for spectacular contested catches, 'any ball' is subjective and hyperbolic.
Win
Nov 30, 2022
#25486
Big CatBig Cat

The Packers are going to kill the Bears on Sunday because Aaron Rodgers owns us

Fuck Aaron Rogers who said he's playing on Sunday. If Justin Fields doesn't play, then I'm really stuck because... the Packers are gonna kill the Bears and then everyone's gonna be like, Aaron Rogers owns you. Which he does.

The Packers defeated the Bears 28-19 on December 4, 2022.
Void
Nov 30, 2022
#25488
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Kirk Cousins is currently the 16th best quarterback in the NFL

Personally, I have Kurt Cousins ranked as the 16th best quarterback in the National Football League. Your thoughts?

Quarterback rankings are inherently subjective.
Void
Nov 30, 2022·Guys on Chicks
#922
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The modern day alpha male gets away with lies to feel manly

Guys, you know what, the modern day alpha male doesn't have a lot of things that we can do to make us feel manly, but getting away with lies is one of those things.

This is a satirical sociological observation.

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