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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

