The Herd with Colin Cowherd

3 & Out – “Kauff on Campus, MASSIVE CFB Weekend, Why is QB Scoring Down”

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff
Guest/Producer: Jackson

Episode Overview

This episode of the 3 & Out podcast, featured within The Herd, is a deep-dive into the state of college football on the cusp of a massive weekend of games. John Middlekauff is joined by producer Jackson for a ‘Kauff on Campus’ edition, tackling five “burning questions” about the state of coaching, top teams, and why quarterback scoring stats are declining. The episode covers high-profile coach firings, the shifting landscape brought on by NIL and the transfer portal, previews major matchups including Penn State-Oregon and Georgia-Alabama, and addresses listener questions, creating a comprehensive snapshot of college football as September closes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The End of the Coaching Lifers – Mike Gundy’s Firing

(07:02 – 14:07)

• John reflects on the firing of Oklahoma State legend Mike Gundy, noting the rarity and end of the era for coaches who spend their entire careers at one program.
• Emphasis on Gundy’s legacy: over 30 years at Oklahoma State as player, assistant, and head coach.
• The effect of NIL and conference realignment on the ability for schools to retain coaches long-term.
• Discussion about resource disparity between power conferences and the Big 12’s uncertain future as a coaching destination.
• Loyalty versus career advancement in modern college football: "He was very, very loyal to a school that...the school meant everything to him...even if it's going bad." (John, 10:55)

Memorable Quote:

"It's kind of sad that the day and age of like the guy that's just interwoven with that franchise, we're never going to see that again." (John, 09:09)

Is Dabo Swinney Next? The Pressure on Big Coaches

(14:07 – 20:32)

• Clemson’s struggles under Dabo Swinney and speculation on whether he could be dismissed due to recent mediocrity.
• Dabo’s relationship with the portal (reluctance to use transfers) highlighted as a key factor in Clemson’s downturn.
• Parallels to Gundy—how enemies in the university gather power when performance dips.
• The necessity for modern coaches to adapt:

"If I was Dabo, I'd be working behind the scenes to try to give myself a landing spot...maybe your message, you just need a fresh start." (John, 16:53)

• Caution for Florida or major programs: Dabo must be willing to embrace transfer portal strategies to succeed elsewhere.

Oklahoma’s John Matier Injury – Title Hopes in Jeopardy

(20:34 – 24:58)

• Oklahoma’s rising star QB John Matier suffers a broken throwing hand, out for at least three weeks—major implications for the Red River Rivalry and playoff aspirations.
• Backup Michael Hawkins Jr. must step up, but Oklahoma’s running game is weak, making the transition even tougher.
• The domino effect of one injury on season trajectory.
• Quote:

"If you're Oklahoma, you gotta be thinking, we're a playoff team...and now all of a sudden we could just lose to Texas in the shitty version of Arch." (John, 22:05)

Five Burning Questions and Big Games of the Weekend

(29:50 – 59:59)

1. Penn State vs. Oregon – Can James Franklin Win The Big One?

(29:53 – 37:34)

• Stakes for Franklin, who’s just 1-17 against top 10 Big Ten opponents.
• Oregon’s rising status as a national power under Dan Lanning and new QB Dante Moore’s first big road environment.
• Drew Allar’s “Heisman moment” potential; importance for Penn State’s reputation.

• “It's not very often since Lanning has been there...Oregon has been like a legit ‘we don't think you're going to win this game.’” (John, 31:18)

2. Georgia vs. Alabama – Statement Game for Kaylin DeBoer?

(37:34 – 44:40)

• Georgia home win streak on the line (33 games).

• Alabama’s stench from an early loss possibly overstated; their QB Ty Simpson coming into his own.

• The “start fast or else” theme:

  “If Bama starts fast, they're winning this game...But if they're trailing, I'm out.” (John, 39:54)

• Contrast in coaching styles: DeBoer’s calm, strategic versus Kirby’s raw energy.

3. LSU at Ole Miss – Is LSU a Pretender? Lane Kiffin’s Rise?

(48:09 – 56:52)

• Lane Kiffin’s offensive prowess, QB innovation, and how a win solidifies his status as a top coach/candidate for bigger jobs.
• LSU’s offense and run game under scrutiny; are they really top-tier without improvement?
• The impact of the transfer portal: “You do have guys that are playing there [at small schools] that could go to a top program and be an immediate impact guy.” (John, 53:20)

4. Who is the Most Complete Team in CFB?

(58:17 – 62:06)

• Miami looks complete on both sides, but coaching is a wild card given Mario Cristobal’s history of late-game mistakes.

• Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, and more all have cases, but weaknesses too; it’s a wide-open year.

  “It does feel like, what the hell is the difference between Bama, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss?...If you told me any of those teams were rolling in the playoffs...would not be surprised.” (John, 62:44)

5. Big Ten and SEC vs. the Field – Can The Big 12 and ACC Compete?

(65:20 – 68:22)

• Big Ten’s depth is improving, but the gap remains; resource questions limit Big 12/ACC ceiling.
• Conference strength perception will matter even more with the 12-team playoff.

State of the Game – Why is QB Scoring Down in Football?

(107:06 – 112:40)

• Listener mailbag addresses the noticeable drop in quarterback-centric stats despite favorable offensive rules.
• Theories:
  • Defenses playing more deep shells, emphasizing preventing big plays.
  • Athletic evolution of safeties/linebackers—players are smaller, faster, cover sideline-to-sideline better.
  • Greater team speed on defense = fewer explosive downfield passing plays.
• Running backs rebounding as defenses focus on limiting QB damage:

  “I think one big thing is the conservative nature of defenses...We will let you dump it to the running back.” (John, 109:53)

Other Key Moments and Quotes

• Quarterback Development & Transfer Portal:
  The portal opens up opportunities for “diamond in the rough” QBs but diminishes mid-tier program stability and increases churn, particularly at positions like QB.

• Notable Quote:

  “The transfer portal...you can just do it quicker than you used to, where it's like, oh, we got to wait for a couple recruiting classes. It's like, you wait one spring, you're like off and running.” (John, 61:21)

• On Conference Realignment & NIL Arms Race:
  The crew laments the end of mid-tier programs’ ability to compete for top coaches and players without massive external funding.

Additional Listener Q&A Highlights

(76:53 – 112:40)

• Mailbag covers:
  • NFL’s reliance on kickers and field goals (and possible rule changes).
  • The impact of moving franchises on NFL team identity (Ravens/Browns).
  • Hall of Fame standards—how culture and changing play styles color the debate.
  • Why some coaches and QBs (like Jim Tomsula, Sam Darnold, Shane Waldron) get stuck with certain reputations—personal experience and context matter.
  • The pressure for traditional powers to keep up as NIL and the portal massively reshuffle resources and talent.

Tone and Style

• The episode maintains a casual, conversational, opinion-driven style. There are frequent analogies, honest self-reflection, and banter between John and Jackson. The tone is critical but not cynical—focused on the rapidly changing landscape and its effect on college football’s culture, traditions, and power dynamic.

Notable and Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• [09:09] John: “It’s kind of sad that the day and age of like the guy that’s just interwoven with that franchise, we’re never going to see that again.”
• [10:55] John, on Gundy: "He was very, very loyal to a school that...the school meant everything to him...even if it's going bad."
• [16:53] John: "If I was Dabo, I'd be working behind the scenes to try to give myself a landing spot..."
• [22:05] John, on Oklahoma QB injury: "If you're Oklahoma, you gotta be thinking, we're a playoff team...and now all of a sudden we could just lose to Texas in the shitty version of Arch."
• [39:54] John: "If Bama starts fast, they're winning this game...But if they're trailing, I'm out."
• [53:20] John: “You do have guys that are playing there [at small schools] that could go to a top program and be an immediate impact guy.”
• [62:44] John: “It does feel like, what the hell is the difference between Bama, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss?...If you told me any of those teams were rolling in the playoffs...would not be surprised.”
• [109:53] John, on QB scoring drop: "I think one big thing is the conservative nature of defenses...We will let you dump it to the running back."

Final Thoughts

• The show closes with lighthearted banter, including advice on shaving bald heads, and a return to the idea that college football—and football in general—is in an era of rapid change, with parity, unpredictability, and new powers rising due to ever-shifting resources.

For full in-depth analysis, bold predictions, and more college football banter, subscribe to 3 & Out with John Middlekauff via The Volume and The Herd feeds.