Overview of PMS 2.0 1454 — BA Day (Pat McAfee, 11/18/2025)
This episode is built around “B.A. Day” — a long, wide-ranging show with former NFL coach Bruce Arians as the special guest. Pat and the crew recap Week 11 of the NFL (including Monday Night Football), dig into major college-football storylines (Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, James Franklin to Virginia Tech, the CFP picture), celebrate a top high-school recruit committing to West Virginia, and cover miscellany from WWE/Scadaboo to MLB/Pirates buzz. The tone mixes X‑and‑O analysis (Arians), locker-room culture, recruiting/coach‑search context, and pop-culture sporting moments.
Episode structure & guests
- Host: Pat McAfee (ESPN)
- Special guest (feature): Bruce Arians (47‑year coach, QB mentor)
- Recurring panel: Darius “D‑Bot” Butler, AJ Hawk, AP Tone (college/CFP), Boston Conner, Ty Schmidt, Connor, others
- Major interview: Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss head coach)
- Additional segments:
- AP Tone on CFP projections
- Kevin Brown (four‑star OL) commits live to West Virginia
- Rich Rodriguez (WVU) on program direction
- Short rundowns: MNF recap, Raiders/Cowboys, Geno Smith discussion, NFL hot topics, Pirates/MLB chatter, WWE incident involving Cam Scadaboo
Key segments and takeaways
Monday Night Football & Cowboys vs Raiders
- Dallas played an emotional, dominant MNF inspired by tributes to a recently deceased Cowboys player; the Cowboys routed the Raiders.
- Takeaways:
- Cowboys running game (Javonte/others) and playmakers (CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens mentioned) carried the offense.
- Newly added defensive pieces (Quentin Williams referenced in the show) helped Dallas stop the run — optimism about Dallas’ playoff chances if healthy.
- Raiders: pass protection and wide‑receiver talent are concerns; Geno Smith had turnover issues and is under duress frequently.
- Notable oddity: onside punt attempt after a safety by the Raiders — almost worked but ultimately failed.
Bruce Arians: hot takes & coaching philosophy
- BA emphasized feel, leadership and accountability over blind analytics:
- On analytics: called “going purely by the book” in critical moments a dangerous abdication of coaching judgement — “No BS” on analytics ruining some decisions.
- On handling disrespect (spitting incidents): “Do what comes natural” — he acknowledged spitting is a guaranteed way to incite fights; coaches expect players to respond.
- Repeated coaching mantra to Lane Kiffin and others: “Do what’s best for your family.”
Lane Kiffin — Ole Miss interview
- Lane Kiffin on the show with running back Keyvone Lacey:
- Denied internet rumors that Ole Miss issued an ultimatum about his future — he’s focused on finishing the season and the Egg Bowl.
- Emphasized culture: “there’s no team in America that has more fun than Ole Miss” and “you’re in the good old days right now” — enjoy winning and the moment.
- On scheme/personnel: Ole Miss balances a high‑powered passing reputation with a resurgent, elite rushing attack (Lacey leading country in TDs).
- Kiffin: one‑game focus (win Florida, win Egg Bowl); realistic about playoff logistics (may need top‑10 placement given how committee scenarios are evolving).
CFP chatter — AP Tone’s projected 12-team outline
- Tone previewed how the CFP committee might shift their Top 12:
- Top 3 likely to remain (Oklahoma State / Ohio State / Michigan type order referenced as stable).
- Alabama loss opens movement; Tone predicted Ole Miss could climb to #6.
- Bubble/rotation talk: Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Miami, and a one‑loss AAC team (North Texas/Tulane) vying for the last spot.
- Lane & guests stressed the chaotic nature of the new selection environment: teams may need to be top‑10 to feel secure.
Recruiting & commitments — Kevin Brown to West Virginia
- Kevin Brown (6'5", 285), five‑star offensive-line prospect, committed live to West Virginia.
- Emotional family moment: Dad (ex‑WVU player) and grandma on the call.
- Brown had previously committed to Penn State but re‑opened after staff changes; chose WVU partly for fit and legacy.
- Rich Rodriguez (WVU head coach) praised culture and reinforced the plan to bring in tough, football‑obsessed linemen — goal to re‑establish old‑school, hard‑edge WVU identity.
- Crew celebrated the recruit and Morgantown traditions (couched celebrations / “couch burning” referenced — cultural note and lighthearted controversy).
Rich Rodriguez on program rebuilding
- RichRod emphasized setting a hard‑edge culture first; identified recruiting elite, tough players as the foundation.
- He framed success as whether former players would “do it all over again” — culture and long‑term pride matter as much as wins.
NFL hot topics, analytics & rankings
- BA’s “BS or No BS” rapid segment:
- Analytics overruling feel/instinct in critical moments = “No BS” (he called that trend damaging).
- NFC parity (outside Eagles) = “No BS” — many NFC divisions are wide open; December will decide playoff slots.
- Chiefs being the most disappointing team = surprising “No BS” (Mahomes/Chiefs not performing like past years).
- James Franklin getting VT to contention in 3 years = “No BS” (Bruce supports Franklin’s hire at VT).
- Discussion of NFL report‑cards (player surveys about facilities) and NFLPA/NFL process: need for transparency + representativeness in any polling.
Other stories & miscellany
- Raiders coaching/roster critique: panel discussed the Pete Carroll era so far, Tom Brady’s role with the franchise, and Max Crosby’s future (desire to see Crosby on a true contender).
- WWE incident: Cam Scadaboo (Tyrese-related) got involved in a Raw scuffle — show defended his right to be out and socializing during rehab, panel urged perspective on recovery isolation.
- MLB — Pirates buzz:
- Reporting that Pittsburgh “considered” big spending (e.g., an earlier reported pursuit of Josh Naylor and interest in Schwarber). Panel skeptical but encouraged if true — fans would welcome investment.
- NBA note: LeBron James questionable but could play short minutes (20–25) in his return; conversation about how his role/defense might be managed.
Notable quotes & lines
- Lane Kiffin: “You’re in the good old days right now” (on enjoying this run).
- Lane Kiffin: “One loss out of the top 10, two losses out of the top 25, three losses you get fired.” (on present college‑football realities)
- Bruce Arians: “Do what’s best for your family.” (advice to coaches/players facing choices)
- Bruce Arians on analytics: cautioned against treating the “book” as gospel in high‑leverage moments — coaching feel still crucial.
- Mike Tomlin paraphrase (on spitting): “If someone spits in your face, do what comes natural.” (discussed by panel as recognition that spitting usually provokes physical retaliation)
Practical takeaways / what to watch next
- NFL: Watch Cowboys vs. Eagles (major NFC East matchup) — will showcase the Cowboys’ new defensive identity and Dak Prescott’s form.
- College: Ole Miss — watch Egg Bowl and then monitor how committee positioning evolves; Lane Kiffin’s team is a strong playoff candidate if they hold the line.
- Recruiting: West Virginia fans should follow Kevin Brown and WVU recruiting momentum — the commitment was a major pickup.
- CFP release: check AP Tone’s predictions and the committee’s official 12‑team update (this episode previewed likely movements).
- Misc: keep an eye on Raiders roster/organizational moves (Max Crosby trade speculation), LeBron’s minutes management if he returns.
Bottom line
This episode blended big‑picture coaching perspective (Bruce Arians) with immediate recaps and flavors of the sports week: emotional MNF moments, the dynamic and precarious college‑football landscape, recruiting fireworks (Kevin Brown → WVU), and the ongoing tension between analytics and instinct in game‑time decisions. It’s as much about culture and leadership as X’s & O’s — and several segments set up must‑watch games and storylines for the coming weeks.