Overview of PMS 2.0 1647
Pat McAfee and the crew were live from Provo, Utah for a huge weekend in college football, with BYU vs. Notre Dame and College GameDay back at Lavell Edwards Stadium for the first time in 17 years. The show blended a Week 6 NFL recap, a deep preview of the BYU-Notre Dame showdown, and several major interviews: Utah/Jazz/Mammoth owner Ryan Smith, Nick Saban, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, plus the weekly pick segment with Stanford Steve and the latest news from Ian Rapoport.
Thursday Night Football Recap: Broncos vs. Seahawks
The crew opened with a breakdown of Denver’s overtime win over Seattle, calling it an ugly but entertaining defensive battle.
- Main takeaway: the under was the right side; both defenses controlled the game.
- Bo Nix was heavily criticized for playing too cautiously and not running enough.
- Sam Darnold also had a rough night with multiple turnovers, reinforcing concerns about his consistency in big spots.
- The Broncos’ defense and Sean Payton’s “don’t turn it over” game plan were viewed as the difference.
- Postgame, Payton emphasized that there are multiple ways to win, but ball security was the key.
Seahawks concerns
Seattle’s loss sparked concern about:
- the absence of Kenneth Walker III and what it means for the run game
- Darnold’s turnover issues without a strong rushing attack
- whether the Seahawks can stay afloat in a tough division if they keep losing the turnover battle
BYU vs. Notre Dame: GameDay in Provo
A major portion of the show focused on the atmosphere around No. 8 Notre Dame at BYU, with McAfee repeatedly praising Provo, the mountains, and the energy around the game.
Why this game matters
- Both teams are undefeated and in the national spotlight.
- Notre Dame turned down the Pop-Tart Bowl last year, instead using the season to refocus for a playoff push.
- BYU has become a national story under Kalani Sitake and quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
- College GameDay’s return to Provo created a major campus buzz, with students lining up for the set for days.
Key football themes
- Notre Dame is seen as the more proven national power, but BYU’s defense and run game could make this a real test.
- The crew repeatedly framed it as a game that could tell us a lot about both programs.
- The atmosphere, altitude, and crowd noise were all treated as legitimate factors.
Interview: Ryan Smith on Utah Sports, BYU, and City Development
Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth owner Ryan Smith joined the show in Provo and talked about:
BYU and Notre Dame
- The matchup feels like a full-circle, nostalgic moment for him.
- He sees BYU and Notre Dame as similar national brands, especially as independent-minded institutions with strong cultures.
- He believes BYU’s fan base and the state’s sports culture are often underestimated.
Utah’s sports and business growth
Smith highlighted:
- the strong youth/entrepreneurial culture in Utah
- athletes wanting to play in a place with structure and accountability
- the Jazz’s young core and long-term rebuild
- the Mammoth’s growing success in Utah after relocating from Phoenix
Downtown Salt Lake redevelopment
Smith also detailed a major downtown revitalization plan:
- reconnecting the area around the Delta Center with a new walkthrough/paseo
- adding a Live Nation venue, hotel, and better pedestrian access
- preparing the area as a major hub for the 2034 Olympics
- framing the project as a long-term investment in the city’s future
NIL / playoff expansion
Smith argued that expanding the college football playoff helps create hope, which in turn helps with donations, NIL support, and sustained investment.
Interview: Nick Saban on Retirement, College Football, and the CFP
Nick Saban joined from Provo and gave one of the most substantive segments of the show.
On his documentary and retirement
- Saban said the documentary was meant to honor everyone who helped build his success.
- He talked about how coaching was a way of life, not just a job.
- Retirement has allowed him to slow down and enjoy family, golf, and relationships.
- He admitted he had been in a hurry for decades and didn’t fully realize it until he stepped away.
On modern college football
Saban said the sport has changed significantly because of:
- NIL
- the transfer portal
- changing expectations around player development and pay
He stressed that college football must still prioritize:
- education
- development
- competitive balance
- reasonable budgeting
On playoff expansion
Saban was cautious about a larger playoff:
- He said more teams create more hope, but he worries about player workload.
- He suggested a 16-team playoff as a better compromise than a massive expansion.
- He supported keeping conference championship games in some form if possible.
On Notre Dame and BYU
Saban thought:
- Notre Dame has one of the most complete teams in the country
- BYU’s aggressive defense and ability to run the ball could challenge the Irish
- this game is a real proving ground for Notre Dame
On Indiana, Ohio State, and championships
He also touched on how great teams handle repeat matchups and how championship programs must adjust over time rather than relying on the same tendencies.
Interview: Marcus Freeman on Notre Dame’s Season and BYU
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was upbeat, polished, and very detailed about his team’s preparation.
Preparing for Provo
Freeman said Notre Dame is preparing for:
- altitude
- hydration and nutrition
- crowd noise
- the emotional intensity of the environment
On BYU and Kalani Sitake
- He has a lot of respect for Sitake and what he’s built.
- He views BYU as a well-coached, disciplined team.
On CJ Carr’s development
Freeman praised quarterback C.J. Carr for:
- his talent
- his routine and preparation
- his growth as a leader
- his ability to make teammates better
On Notre Dame’s mindset
Freeman said the team has already been tested despite the blowout margins people see on paper, and that the group is using last year’s exclusion from the playoff as motivation.
On playoff expansion
Freeman was clearly in favor of more access:
- He supported a 24-team playoff from Notre Dame’s perspective
- he said more access means more opportunity and more hope
- he wants to preserve Notre Dame’s independence
On coaching philosophy
Freeman emphasized:
- focus on the present moment
- reloading mentally between plays
- learning from failures without killing morale
- building leadership and consistency through practice
Ian Rapoport NFL News and Injury Updates
Rap Sheet dropped several important updates:
Jalen Hurts
- Hurts has a superficial blood clot
- the team is prioritizing treatment and safety
- he is out indefinitely
- the medical issue is serious enough that playing is not on the table right now
Caleb Williams
- Williams clarified he had a hamstring tear
- Rap said the original reporting on the injury being a grade 2 tear was accurate
- Williams seemed annoyed by speculation, but the timeline still points to a significant absence
A.J. Brown
- Brown is working back from a high ankle injury
- week 4 is likely too early to rush him back
- he may not be ready until he can fully practice and recover from contact
Lamar Jackson
- Lamar was ruled out again
- Baltimore is comfortable leaning on Snoop Huntley
- his return is expected once he’s fully healthy
- the contract situation remains unresolved, but the Ravens know who he is
Michael Penix Jr.
- Penix is expected to start this week
- last week’s exit was described as cold/sore-related rather than a major setback
Joe Milton to the Eagles
- Philadelphia traded for Joe Milton as quarterback insurance
- he’ll need to stay on the roster for a few games due to NFL acquisition rules
Stanford Steve and Weekly Picks
The crew made their Week 6 picks with a mix of agreement and disagreement.
Main consensus picks
- Jaguars over Texans
- Colts over Titans
- Patriots over Jets
- Giants over Saints
- Cardinals to cover vs. Rams
- Bills over Raiders
- Packers over Cowboys
Biggest disagreements
- Bears vs. Falcons: Steve and AJ leaned Falcons; Pat leaned Bears
- Ravens vs. Browns: Steve liked Ravens; Pat and AJ leaned Browns
- Panthers vs. Eagles: Pat liked Panthers; AJ liked Eagles
- Steelers vs. Bucs: Steve and AJ liked Steelers; Pat leaned Bucs
- Chargers vs. Chiefs: Steve liked Chargers to cover; Pat and AJ leaned Chiefs
“Shite Division” Recap
The show’s running joke segment once again ranked the league’s worst teams.
Week 5 shite division
- Titans
- Chargers
- Dolphins
- NFC East as a whole
Human entry
- Coach Chuck Pagano was added as a person in the “shite division” because of his rough Thursday-night picking run
Notable Running Bits and Moments
- The crew kept joking about Ryan Fitzpatrick’s outrage over Bo Nix’s play.
- They also highlighted the “Ram Truck” segment, using big defensive hits as examples of players getting “rammed trucked.”
- McAfee repeatedly gushed about Provo’s mountains and atmosphere, calling it one of the best-looking places they’ve visited.
- The show closed with a reminder that College GameDay, NFL action, and Monday Night Football will keep the weekend loaded.
Bottom Line
This episode was a blend of big-game college football hype, NFL injury news, and strong personality-driven interviews. The biggest themes were:
- BYU-Notre Dame as a playoff-defining showcase
- Nick Saban’s perspective on the changing sport
- Marcus Freeman’s confidence in Notre Dame
- Ryan Smith’s broader Utah sports vision
- NFL injury chaos, especially around Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Caleb Williams
It was a quintessential Pat McAfee show: loud, funny, opinionated, and packed with sports context.