The Pat McAfee Show PMS 2.0 1480 - CFP Quarterfinal Recap, NFL Week 18 Preview/Picks, Adam Schefter, Pete Thamel, Peter Schrager, & AJ Hawk
14 snips
Jan 2, 2026 
Adam Schefter, ESPN's senior NFL insider, shares the latest on injuries and playoff implications heading into Week 18. He discusses the potential head coaching changes across the league and the trends in GM hiring. Pete Thamel dives into the opening of the transfer portal, highlighting key player movements and its impact on college football dynamics. Peter Schrager previews upcoming games, including the Bucs-Panthers matchup, and they engage in a lively MVP debate touching on notable candidates. The crew adds their insights on the CFP and makes their weekly game picks.
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NIL/Portal Driving New Parity
- College Football's playoff quartet shows parity: smaller programs can rise quickly with NIL and the transfer portal.
- Pat McAfee and crew credit tough, physical teams (Indiana, Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon) and donor investment for the shift.
Indiana's Rose Bowl Transformation
- Pat McAfee describes Indiana's Rose Bowl upset over Alabama as a transformation for the program under Kurt Cignetti.
- He highlights specific players and the center earning offensive player of the game as proof of the turnaround.
Alumni Money Is Shifting Power
- Big Ten resurgence reflects donor power and alumni giving fueling NIL-era competitiveness.
- Pat McAfee ties northern alumni wealth and investment to sustained program growth like Indiana's.