Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: 3 & Out - CFP REACTION: Ohio State Beats Texas in 28-14 Semifinal Battle to Advance to the Natty
Release Date: January 11, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host John Middlekauff provides an in-depth reaction to Ohio State's decisive 28-14 victory over Texas in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal. As Ohio State advances to the national championship game, Middlekauff delves into the game's pivotal moments, coaching decisions, player performances, and the broader implications for both teams heading into the finals.

Game Overview

John Middlekauff opens his analysis by setting the stage for the Ohio State vs. Texas semifinal clash, highlighting Ohio State's position as the favored team both publicly and in the betting lines.

[03:02] John Middlekauff: “Ohio State just looked excellent. You're like this is the best team in the country they're going to roll.”

Ohio State dominated the first half, maintaining a seven-point lead while Texas showcased formidable defensive strategies. The game intensified in the second half, with Texas mounting a comeback to tie the game at 14-14 before Ohio State ultimately secured the win.

Coaching Analysis

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the contrasting coaching styles of Ohio State's Chip Kelly and Texas's Steve Sarkisian. Middlekauff praises Kelly's strategic play-calling, especially in critical moments, while critiquing Sarkisian's decisions that ultimately led to Texas's downfall.

[05:45] John Middlekauff: “Chip Kelly got it done. Sark did not.”

He highlights key play calls, such as Kelly's effective screen pass leading to a crucial touchdown and Sarkisian's risky lateral play that resulted in a loss of seven yards.

[10:30] John Middlekauff: “On fourth and two, Chip Kelly just leaves the ball in the hands of his quarterback. If the quarterback doesn't trip himself, I don't know if he scores, but he definitely gains an extra six, seven yards.” (10:30)

Middlekauff underscores that coaching decisions were paramount in determining the game's outcome, emphasizing Kelly's adaptability and Sarkisian's missteps under pressure.

Player Performances

Middlekauff provides detailed evaluations of standout players from both teams, noting Ohio State's explosive running back Henderson and wide receiver Tate's dominance.

[08:15] John Middlekauff: “Henderson is such an explosive running back. Their third wide receiver, Tate, was dominating tonight.” (08:15)

He also discusses Texas's defensive prowess, particularly praising their coordinators and linebackers who effectively neutralized key Ohio State offensive threats.

[12:50] John Middlekauff: “Texas has one of the best defensive coordinators in the country. They treated Jeremiah Smith like Jerry Rice.” (12:50)

However, Middlekauff expresses reservations about Texas's quarterback Quinn Ewers, questioning his decision-making and ability to handle high-pressure situations.

[20:40] John Middlekauff: “Quinn Ewers... his feel for playing the position is not great. He took some awful sacks tonight.” (20:40)

Strategic Decisions

Delving deeper into the game's pivotal moments, Middlekauff analyzes Ohio State's strategic use of the passing game and running plays to exploit Texas's defense. He praises Ohio State's ability to adjust their game plan mid-game, particularly in the second half where they regained control after Texas's brief resurgence.

[16:25] John Middlekauff: “Chip Kelly's play-calling on fourth and two with Will Howard was a gut punch from Texas. He ran quarterback sweep effectively.” (16:25)

Middlekauff also critiques Texas's red-zone inefficiency, attributing some of their struggles to poor play-calling and execution in critical areas.

[18:10] John Middlekauff: “Texas's red zone offense is 108th among Division 1 programs. On that specific play from the one-yard line, you couldn't have run it smarter.” (18:10)

Coaching and Team Dynamics

The episode explores the broader themes of coaching tenure and team dynamics, comparing Ryan Day of Ohio State and Steve Sarkisian of Texas. Middlekauff highlights Day's consistent performance and ability to build a resilient team culture, contrasting it with Sarkisian's fluctuating career trajectory.

[24:00] John Middlekauff: “Ryan Day has the boys in the natty. He's one of the best coaches in the country, and he becomes legendary.” *(24:00)

[25:00] John Middlekauff: “Steve Sarkisian's play call on second down is for a guy who's come a long way. He's now one of the best coaches, but he had some critical failures tonight.” *(25:00)

Player Development and NFL Prospects

Middlekauff touches on the future prospects of Ohio State players, emphasizing the high number of NFL-ready athletes on the field. He notes that many starters are mid to late-round NFL draft prospects, underscoring the program's strength in developing professional-level talent.

[22:30] John Middlekauff: “Of the 44 starters tonight, 26 or 27 of them are NFL prospects. That's just outrageous.” (22:30)

He also discusses the implications for players like Will Howard and Riley Leonard, praising their growth and potential impact at the next level despite some reservations about their current quarterback's abilities.

[30:15] John Middlekauff: “Will Howard and Riley Leonard are elite competitors. They're going to be very attractive to NFL coaching staffs.” (30:15)

Conclusion and Predictions

Wrapping up his analysis, Middlekauff confidently predicts Ohio State's success in the upcoming national championship game, dismissing the likelihood of an upset given their dominant performance and superior coaching.

[42:00] John Middlekauff: “I would be stunned if we don't get a consistent theme of the best four of the best six or seven programs every single year in the final four.” (42:00)

He commends Ohio State's ability to overcome adversity, such as their response to previous losses, and emphasizes their balanced approach to offense and defense as key factors in their triumph.

[43:50] John Middlekauff: “Ohio State has found a balance. They dominated early and didn't falter under pressure.” (43:50)

Middlekauff concludes with a nod to the competitive nature of college football playoffs, acknowledging that while upsets are possible, elite programs like Ohio State are poised to consistently perform at the highest level.

Notable Quotes

• [03:02] John Middlekauff: “Ohio State just looked excellent. You're like this is the best team in the country they're going to roll.”
• [10:30] John Middlekauff: “On fourth and two, Chip Kelly just leaves the ball in the hands of his quarterback. If the quarterback doesn't trip himself, I don't know if he scores, but he definitely gains an extra six, seven yards.”
• [16:25] John Middlekauff: “Chip Kelly's play-calling on fourth and two with Will Howard was a gut punch from Texas. He ran quarterback sweep effectively.”
• [22:30] John Middlekauff: “Of the 44 starters tonight, 26 or 27 of them are NFL prospects. That's just outrageous.”
• [42:00] John Middlekauff: “I would be stunned if we don't get a consistent theme of the best four of the best six or seven programs every single year in the final four.”

Final Thoughts

John Middlekauff's comprehensive reaction to Ohio State's semifinal victory offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the game's dynamics, the critical role of coaching, and the impressive talent depth within the Ohio State program. His analysis not only celebrates Ohio State's achievement but also sets the stage for an anticipated national championship showdown.