Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode 3 & Out - Notre Dame Takes Down Indiana, Mailbag

Release Date: December 21, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by John Middlecoff from The Volume, listeners are treated to an in-depth analysis of Notre Dame's recent victory over Indiana, discussions on the evolving college football playoff format, and a vibrant mailbag segment addressing listener questions on various sports topics.

1. Notre Dame's Victory Over Indiana: Game Recap and Analysis

John Middlecoff kicks off the discussion with a detailed recap of Notre Dame's 27-17 win against Indiana. Despite the seemingly modest scoreline, Middlecoff emphasizes the game's significance in setting Notre Dame up for a quarterfinal matchup against Georgia.

• Key Insights:
  • Playoff Format Critique: Middlecoff critiques the new playoff format, suggesting it complicates the understanding and significance of each game. He remarks, “It's hard to keep up with everything in this new playoff format” ([29:40]).
  • Home Field Advantage: He praises the atmosphere of home playoff games at iconic venues like Penn State and Notre Dame, advocating for a possible expansion to 16 teams to ensure every playoff game has its own home-field advantage.
  • Notre Dame’s Strengths: Notre Dame's strong running game and solid defense are highlighted as key factors in their success. Middlecoff notes, “They have two really good running backs. They ran for almost 200 yards tonight.” ([35:15]).

2. Playoff Outlook: Notre Dame vs. Georgia

Looking ahead, Middlecoff delves into Notre Dame's upcoming challenge against Georgia.

• Notre Dame’s Potential:

  • He expresses optimism about Notre Dame's chances, stating, “If you remove that one run, Notre Dame actually ran for under 100 yards. But that's part of the total.” ([42:50]).
  • The host is particularly interested in how Notre Dame's running game and defensive prowess will fare against Georgia's formidable defense, questioning whether their offensive capabilities can keep Georgia's defense honest.

• Georgia’s Dominance:

  • Middlecoff underscores Georgia's elite defensive lineup, comparing it to that of top NFL teams. He asserts, “Georgia's defense on a completely different level... when they bring their A game, they're going to be tough.” ([47:20]).

3. Analysis of Indiana's Performance and Program

The discussion shifts to Indiana's unexpected playoff berth and their performance throughout the season.

• Indiana’s Season:

  • Middlecoff acknowledges Indiana's impressive 11-win season but questions the strength of their opponents, emphasizing the disparity in competition levels across different conferences. He remarks, “The teams Indiana was beating this year, no one cares that you destroyed Nebraska, honestly.” ([33:10]).

• Program Evaluation:

  • He critically evaluates Indiana's program, labeling it “the worst program in the history of college football” despite their current success, arguing that their record doesn’t truly reflect the team's capabilities against top-tier opponents.

4. Mailbag Highlights: Listener Questions and Host Responses

The mailbag segment is a lively portion where Middlecoff addresses various listener inquiries ranging from player evaluations to coaching strategies.

• Hall of Fame Draft Picks:

  • Listener Question: “If you had to pick one player from this draft class to be in the Hall of Fame, who would it be?”
  • Middlecoff's Answer: He selects Alt with an honorable mention for Bowers, citing Bowers' potential but expressing concerns about his dependency on quarterback performance ([45:30]).

• Coaching Comparisons:

  • Listener Question: “I do like Mel Kuiper. Having him six on your big board seems a little bold to me. And the team speed, the athletes...”
  • Middlecoff's Answer: He commends coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Bill Belichick, contrasting them with Indiana's Signetti, whom he describes as a mix of “Bear Bryant meets Bill Walsh combined with Vince Lombardi” ([50:10]).

• Quarterback Evaluations:

  • Discussion on Trevor Lawrence vs. Brock Purdy: Middlecoff debates the contractual and performance aspects, emphasizing the inflated quarterback salaries and the market dynamics shaping these contracts. He states, “We're looking at the 2008 housing bubble with quarterback contracts.” ([55:00]).

• Fantasy and Draft Strategies:

  • Middlecoff offers insights on draft strategies, advising a focus on positions with higher scarcity like pass rushers and offensive linemen over running backs, influenced by a balance of supply and demand dynamics ([51:45]).

• Coaching Tenure and Media Perception:

  • Addressing questions about Nick Sirianni and media treatment, Middlecoff reflects on the challenges coaches face with media scrutiny, suggesting personality differences as a factor in perception ([53:25]).

5. Concluding Insights and Future Outlook

In wrapping up, Middlecoff reiterates the importance of distinguishing between team records and actual performance quality. He emphasizes that Indiana’s playoff entry doesn’t warrant recognition due to the perceived weakness of their schedule, while Notre Dame is lauded for their genuine competitiveness.

• Final Thoughts:
  • Middlecoff: “There has to be some level of eye test. Are they good enough? Do they have any chance to compete?” ([57:10]).
  • He remains optimistic about Notre Dame’s potential to advance further in the playoffs, provided they can maintain their defensive strength and offensive versatility against top-tier teams like Georgia.

Notable Quotes

• John Middlecoff: “If I was commissioner or czar of this entire thing, I would figure out a way to expand it to 16 teams and every single team has a home game.” ([31:50]).

• John Middlecoff: “Comparing Indiana to Georgia would be like comparing an NFL team to a modern-day high school in Southern California.” ([48:30]).

• John Middlecoff: “We've got to stop assuming there are two power conferences. The last 20 years, there's been one, and that's the SEC.” ([56:20]).

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive look into the current state of college football playoffs, spotlighting Notre Dame's strategic positioning and critiquing the broader playoff structure. Through insightful analysis and engaging listener interactions, John Middlecoff provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the game’s evolving landscape, emphasizing the importance of recognizing true team strength over superficial records.