PMS 2.0 1280 - LIVE from the CFP National Championship, Divisional Round Recap, Adam Schefter, Nick Saban, Shane Gillis
Jan 20, 2025
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Adam Schefter, ESPN's senior NFL insider, shares insights on the NFL coaching carousel and its implications for players like Kliff Kingsbury. Nick Saban, the legendary college football coach, discusses his nerves before championships and predicts the showdown's outcome between Notre Dame and Ohio State. Comedian Shane Gillis adds humor, reflecting on game day excitement, betting, and team rivalries. The group dives deep into thrilling playoff performances and the evolving dynamics of college football, offering a blend of analysis and laughter.
The matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame symbolizes a historic clash, driven by each team's desire for championship glory.
The NFL divisional round saw record-breaking viewership, particularly for the Chiefs, emphasizing their dominance and fan appeal amid controversial officiating.
Jaden Daniels' emergence as a standout quarterback has reinvigorated the Washington Commanders' postseason hopes, showcasing his skill and growth.
The introduction of NIL agreements has transformed college football by retaining underclassmen and promoting fair compensation, enhancing competition and stability.
Coaching movement in college football remains dynamic, with schools like Texas working to secure promising talent amid ongoing interest from the NFL.
Deep dives
Setting the Stage for the National Championship
The national championship game features a matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, with Ohio State aiming to reclaim its title and Notre Dame striving for its first championship since 1988. The excitement surrounding the game is heightened by fact that it's being held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, symbolizing hope and unity. Both teams have showcased impressive records throughout the season, with Ohio State motivated to bounce back from previous losses and Notre Dame looking to solidify its spot among college football's elite. Fans eagerly anticipate a thrilling clash at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Record-Breaking NFL Divisional Round Weekend
The recent NFL divisional round weekend broke records, including an astounding 32.7 million viewers for the Chiefs-Texans matchup, marking it as the most-watched NFL game in ESPN's history. Superstars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce drove viewership, as their performances underscored the Chiefs' dominance. Controversial officiating drew criticism, with fans divided over perceived bias toward the Chiefs' favor in calls. Despite intense scrutiny, Mahomes and Kansas City continue to emerge as a formidable force, advancing toward a potential third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
Challenges Faced by the Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens faced significant challenges during their playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, with Lamar Jackson's performance being scrutinized amid missed opportunities and turnovers. Speculation surrounds the future of head coach John Harbaugh, although his long tenure makes him a respected figure in Baltimore. The narrative is complicated by the consistent playoff struggles the franchise has faced over recent years, leading to questions about the team's future. Ultimately, the combination of turnovers and crucial failed conversions prevented the Ravens from advancing, concluding another difficult postseason for the team.
Rising Talent: Jaden Daniels and Commanders
Jaden Daniels has emerged as a standout quarterback for the Washington Commanders, showcasing exceptional skills throughout the playoffs. His ability to avoid turnovers and mistakes has been complemented by a solid performance against the Detroit Lions in a critical playoff game, where he proved instrumental in securing a victory. The coaching staff's confidence in Daniels allowed him to flourish, highlighted by his impressive statistics during this postseason. As the Commanders look to build on this success, Daniels’ growth will be central to their ambitions moving forward.
Impact of NIL on College Football Landscape
The introduction of NIL agreements has significantly altered the college football landscape, impacting player retention and recruitment strategies. Prior to NIL, over 130 underclassmen typically declared for the NFL draft; currently, the number has dropped to around 70, allowing many talented athletes to remain in college. Programs are focusing on maintaining competitive rosters while ensuring that players receive fair compensation for their contributions. This shift appears to foster greater stability in college football and enhances the overall quality of the competition.
Coaching Movements and Opportunities
The coaching carousel continues to spin in college football, with significant movements among top programs as coaches seek to advance their careers. Steve Sarkeesian's recent contract extension with Texas highlights the growing trend of schools securing their promising talent amid interest from the NFL. This pattern emphasizes the importance of retaining knowledgeable and skilled coaches to ensure long-term success. With various positions still open across the NCAA, the search for qualified leaders remains ongoing, as teams aim to build competitive programs for the future.
The Stakes for Tonight's Game
Both Ohio State and Notre Dame face high stakes in the national championship, with each team eager to write a new chapter in their storied histories. Ohio State's formidable offensive lineup aims to capitalize on explosive plays, while Notre Dame prepares to utilize its defensive strength to neutralize the Buckeyes. The matchup represents more than just a championship; it embodies pride, tradition, and the quest for glory that defines college football. Fans on both sides are filled with anticipation as they await the kickoff, ready to witness the culmination of a thrilling season.
Fan Experience and Expectations
The atmosphere surrounding the national championship is charged with excitement, as fans indulge in various culinary offerings and unique experiences. Special menus featuring affordable pricing aim to enhance the game-day experience, allowing families to enjoy the event without financial strain. This dedication to fan engagement showcases the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all who attend. As spectators gather to cheer for their teams, the sense of community and shared passion for football unites them in anticipation of an unforgettable night.
Preparation and Game Day Insights
Preparations are in full swing for the national championship, with meticulous planning behind the scenes to ensure a seamless event. Insights from coaches and players reveal differing strategies, as Ohio State and Notre Dame each position themselves to seize victory. The energy leading up to the game is palpable, as both teams commit to executing their game plans while seeking to capitalize on the other's weaknesses. Fans and analysts alike eagerly dissect every nuance, contributing to the intrigue and excitement that the championship game promises to deliver.
On today's show, Pat, AJ Hawk, Darius Butler & the boys are LIVE from Mercedes Benz Stadium ahead of tonight's CFP National Championship between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish & the Ohio State Buckeyes. The boys recap everything from the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, including the Chiefs still being the Chiefs, what led to the Ravens falling short in Buffalo against the Bills, rookie phenom QB Jayden Daniels & the Washington Commanders shocking the Detroit Lions, and Saquon Barkley continuing his dominance with 205 yards to help take dahn the Los Angeles Rams. In the first hour, ESPN'S Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter joins the progrum to update us on the NFL Coaching Carousel, including what the surprise elimination of the Detroit Lions means for OC Ben Johnson & DC Aaron Glenn's impact on the hiring cycle, an update on Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury's head coaching prospects, former Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy's potential landing spot, and more. Also in the first hour, College Football Hall of Famer & 7-time National Champion, Nick Saban, joins the show live to chat about what it's like preparing for the National Championship the week of the game, where the Championships should be played, whether he was nervous before his 10 Championship appearances, what he expects to see in the battle between the Fighting Irish & the Buckeyes, his takeaways from the NFL's Divisional round, and much more. In the second hour, legendary Stand Up Comedian, Actor, & Podcaster, Shane Gillis stopped by the set to let us know how he feels about his Fighting Irish going into tonight's game, his perspective on their run to the National Championship game, his latest commercial with Under Armour, and much more. Make sure to subscribe to youtube.com/thepatmcafeeshow or watch on ESPN (12-2 EDT), ESPN's YouTube (12-3 EDT) or ESPN+. Tune into College GameDay on ESPN at 5pm today and ESPN2 at 7:30pm tonight for the Field Pass with the Pat McAfee Show. We appreciate the hell out of all you. Cheers.
