Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode 3 & Out: Kauff on Campus Release Date: December 4, 2024
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" delves into the most pressing college football narratives of the season. In this episode titled "3 & Out - Kauff on Campus," Colin Cowherd engages in a dynamic discussion with John Middlekauff, exploring team performances, coaching strategies, and the evolving landscape of college football.
1. Episode Kickoff and Focus on College Football
Timestamp: [02:39]
Colin Cowherd opens the episode by shifting the focus exclusively to college football, citing a lack of significant NFL news. He mentions that the show will center on current college football events, including conference championships and team performances.
Cowherd: "Today will be college only and a lot going on. We got conference championship games, which teams will be basically making sure they have home field advantage."
2. Notre Dame’s Season Review and Future Prospects
Timestamp: [06:00] - [10:04]
John Middlekauff commends Notre Dame's recent performance, highlighting their record and critical victories that have propelled them into playoff contention. He expresses optimism about their chances, especially with the potential for favorable matchups.
Middlekauff: "Their record shows. But for Notre Dame past years, that's been a trap game for them. That's been the game where you think they're going to make the playoff and they lose the last week."
Colin adds that Notre Dame's consistent performance makes them a strong contender in the current playoff structure.
Cowherd: "I think it's pretty easy... Notre Dame's a better job than the Bears. Notre Dame does a better job than the Jets, and Woody Johnson does a better job than Trevor Lawrence."
3. Ohio State vs. Michigan Rivalry: Analyzing the Ups and Downs
Timestamp: [10:36] - [20:45]
The conversation delves into Ohio State's struggles against Michigan, emphasizing issues such as defensive weaknesses and quarterback protection. Cowherd critiques Ryan Day's coaching, suggesting that his lack of toughness is detrimental to the team's performance.
Cowherd: "Ryan Day is not a tough guy... Michigan program, the soul and the ethos is just toughness."
Middlekauff shares statistics highlighting Ohio State's underperformance in critical game moments.
Middlekauff: "Ohio State only had seven plays, 10 yards in the fourth quarter."
They discuss potential coaching changes, including rumors about Brian Kelly potentially taking over, and the impact of losing key defensive players like Will Johnson.
Cowherd: "I think they're a loss away now. We'll see who they end up playing. I think he could easily get fired now."
4. Coaching Dynamics and Future Leadership
Timestamp: [22:22] - [36:49]
The hosts explore the implications of potential coaching changes within Ohio State, comparing Ryan Day's situation to other successful coaches like Brian Kelly and Marcus Freeman. They debate the suitability of current candidates and the challenges of replacing an established coach.
Cowherd: "It's one of those where I mean he's an elite recruiter but he just couldn't outscheme anybody. And that's not really his baby."
Middlekauff raises the possibility of Deion Sanders being considered for coaching roles, discussing the blend of charisma and toughness required for modern coaching success.
Middlekauff: "I think there's just toughness that Deion has... Ohio State would be dramatically tougher than under Ryan Day and Chip Kelly."
5. Big Ten Championship: Penn State vs. Oregon
Timestamp: [43:43] - [54:01]
The discussion shifts to the upcoming Big Ten Championship game between Penn State and Oregon. Cowherd analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, questioning Penn State's ability to challenge a high-performing Oregon team.
Middlekauff: "Do you think James Franklin and Penn State can get it done against Oregon? Or do you think Oregon's just too much for Penn State."
Cowherd highlights the unpredictability of the game, considering factors like conference realignment and travel logistics. They also touch upon the potential impact of the game's outcome on national rankings and playoff seeding.
Cowherd: "This is Oregon, especially the second half of the season post Ohio State has been good, right? They look awesome."
6. Conference Realignment and Its Impact on Playoffs
Timestamp: [46:38] - [60:11]
A significant portion of the episode examines the ongoing conference realignment and its implications for the college football playoff system. The hosts debate the fairness of automatic bids, the disparity in strength of schedules across conferences, and the challenges of maintaining competitive balance.
Middlekauff: "How can they fix the constant comparison of conferences? Is it... have everyone join a conference and rotate games?"
Cowherd: "Everyone has to be in a conference and they all work together universally. I think that's where inevitably we're headed."
They argue for a more standardized scheduling system, similar to the NFL, to ensure fairness in playoff selection.
7. Flag Planting Incident and Sportsmanship
Timestamp: [69:55] - [80:52]
The conversation addresses a recent controversial flag planting incident during rivalry weekend, discussing its ramifications on sportsmanship and NCAA regulations. Cowherd praises the passion displayed by players but acknowledges the potential disciplinary actions.
Middlekauff: "What were your thoughts about the whole flag planting saga this last weekend?"
Cowherd: "It's basic human reaction... the fact that there's still hatred in rivalries today, I feel like as a football fan, you got to be floored about."
8. Overtime Rules in College Football: Pros and Cons
Timestamp: [73:29] - [77:23]
The hosts debate the current overtime rules in college football, particularly following a high-octane eight-overtime game between Georgia and Georgia Tech. Cowherd expresses acceptance of the existing rules, appreciating the entertainment value they bring.
Cowherd: "I'm not bothered by quirky stuff... it's nothing that bothers me like it does Scott freaking out."
Middlekauff: "I think it's fun to see the creativity on both sides and just to see who wants it more."
They discuss potential rule changes but ultimately conclude that the excitement generated by prolonged overtimes adds to the spectacle of the game.
9. Player Performance and Transfer Portal Dynamics
Timestamp: [35:53] - [60:11]
The episode touches on individual player performances, particularly quarterbacks, and the influence of the transfer portal on team dynamics. Discussions include the likes of Kyle McCord at Ohio State and the strategic decisions surrounding quarterback play.
Cowherd: "Quinn Ewers is one of those guys... I feel like when he's in rhythm, he's relaxed, he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country."
Middlekauff: "He hasn't thrown an interception in three weeks."
The conversation highlights how pivotal quarterback performance is to a team's success and the broader implications of player transfers on team chemistry and season outcomes.
10. Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook
Timestamp: [79:44] - [81:23]
In wrapping up the episode, Cowherd and Middlekauff reflect on the intensity of current rivalries and the future of college football. They anticipate continued discussions on team performances, coaching strategies, and the evolving playoff landscape.
Cowherd: "I just think there's a big difference of being at Montana or North Dakota State or South Dakota State where you can win. You got a specific kind of niche."
Middlekauff: "This is the year. It's crazy... they're not in the conference championship game. That's insane."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Cowherd at [06:00]: "I think they're a loss away now. We'll see who they end up playing."
- Middlekauff at [10:04]: "The five seed might be the best spot in the whole bracket."
- Cowherd at [14:01]: "There's just toughness that Deion has, which is ironic because as a player he was famously said, 'I didn't get paid to tackle.'"
- Middlekauff at [20:45]: "If I look at Michigan, I can see Michigan as a heavyweight fighter."
- Cowherd at [70:44]: "If you're going to run it up the gut, they're going to be tougher than you."
- Middlekauff at [73:29]: "Are you not liking the overtime rules? Maybe like first and goal from the 10 or even back them up."
Conclusion
In "3 & Out - Kauff on Campus," Colin Cowherd and John Middlekauff provide an in-depth analysis of the current college football season, focusing on team strategies, coaching effectiveness, and the broader structural challenges facing the sport. Their conversation offers valuable insights for fans seeking to understand the complexities of college football, from on-field performances to behind-the-scenes decision-making.
For those interested in the latest developments in college football, this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" is a must-listen, offering a comprehensive overview of the season's pivotal moments and future trajectories.