The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out Podcast

Episode Title: Reaction to Carson Beck & Miami HUGE WIN vs. Ole Miss in CFB Playoff Semifinal
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: John Middlekauff
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode is a passionate, detailed breakdown of the College Football Playoff semifinal between Miami and Ole Miss, hosted by John Middlekauff. He delves into Miami’s dramatic win, the game's pivotal moments, standout players, the rise and redemption of both programs, and the broader implications for the CFB landscape. Middlekauff also segues into pertinent NFL news, specifically the firing of Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and speculation about John Harbaugh as the next coach. The tone is energetic, conversational, and occasionally peppered with gambling anecdotes and cultural references.

Main Theme

Miami’s Resurgence and Survival Against Ole Miss

• The episode centers on Miami’s narrow 31–27 win over Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff semifinal—a signature victory that signals Miami football’s return to national prominence and sets up a home-field national championship opportunity in South Florida.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami’s Return to Relevance

• Middlekauff frames the victory as a monumental moment for Miami, highlighting the program’s fall from early-2000s dominance and its journey back under Mario Cristobal.
• “What a massive moment for the University of Miami. This was a program… by far the coolest thing in America when I was young.” (03:47)
• Emphasizes the impact for Miami legends: Ray Lewis, Michael Irvin, Edgerrin James, and the broader Miami community.

2. Game Flow and Miami’s Narrow Escape

• Miami struggled with mistakes—dropped four interceptions, penalties, and failed opportunities to pull away, yet ultimately survived.
• Miami's physical dominance at the line of scrimmage: “They were running the ball down Ole Miss’s throat but just couldn’t extend the lead… They were losing in the fourth quarter.” (07:28)
• Ole Miss’s resilience: “There was like a cockroach thing to them; it was hard to kill them. Even early, you felt like Miami could strangle them out, but you just can’t count these guys out.” (09:28)

3. Standout & Game-Changing Players

Miami:

• Mark Fletcher (RB): 22 carries for 133 yards, “the best player on the field tonight for Miami.” (28:40)
• Malachi Tony (WR): Only a true freshman, standout presence and athleticism: "This 18-year-old kid, Tony—number 10 for Miami, he is a special player… was just born to play football." (30:16)
• Fiona Messador (DL) and Rueben Bain (DL) noted, but less impact tonight.

Ole Miss:

• Trinidad (QB): Division II transfer, almost led program to the national title. “Trinidad is one of the coolest stories in college sports in a long, long time.” (45:15)
• Kewan Lacy (RB): Played through injury, explosive home-run TD.

On Carson Beck (Miami QB):

• Hot-and-cold performance: “He can make individual throws like damn, that is a great… then he makes others, you just don’t know what to make of him.” (17:20)
• Clutch performance in the final drive.

4. Pivotal Moments & Strategy (with Timestamps)

• Targeting Penalties: Middlekauff rails against the rule that ejects college players for targeting, especially in such huge games. “It’s criminal activity to me… you’re kicking this guy out of the game, and he’s got to miss the first half of the national championship game. It really makes me mad.” (06:06)
• Ole Miss’s Big Play: Kewan Lacy’s 70-yard TD run as a turning point—“You just can’t count these guys out.” (11:55)
• Game-Ending Drive: After Ole Miss takes late lead, Miami executes a six-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a rushing TD with 18 seconds left. “They did a good job on that final drive. Scored a touchdown… because they can run the ball, driving down the field, mixing in some runs, and scoring with 18 seconds left.” (22:10)

5. The Transfer Portal & Player Movement

• Division II to SEC success stories now possible: “This never would have happened before transfer portal… schools didn’t have personnel departments funneling tape." (35:30)
• Trinidad’s path from Ferris State to Ole Miss as a symbol of this new CFB era.

6. Miami’s Style & National Championship Prospects

• NFL-like team: physically dominant lines, run-heavy offense, possession control—mirroring Seattle Seahawks style.
• "They’re not going to blow out good teams… all their games have been really close. That’s Mario." (49:25)
• Home-field advantage in Miami for the title game is expected to be massive.

7. Respect for Ole Miss Despite Defeat

• Ole Miss played with “heart and fight,” overcame adversity, and nearly pulled off a historic run.
• “If Miami lost, it would’ve been devastating… for Ole Miss, you kind of hold your head high.” (41:20)
• Praise for coach Pete Golding’s work after “all the guys leaving.”

8. Critiques & Quirks

• Field quality at Glendale (“pain in the ass to get to; doesn’t look great up close.”) (53:46)
• Miami’s missed opportunities (dropped interceptions, penalties), Ole Miss’s resilience, officiating frustrations.

9. NFL News Interlude

• Miami Dolphins Fire Mike McDaniel:

  • Sudden firing shocks league. “Everyone goes, whoa, what does that mean?” (58:19)
  • Speculation that John Harbaugh will be targeted: “He has a clean slate… can bring in his own GM… Miami is the only organization that can offer that.” (01:00:41)
  • Harbaugh’s strengths: veteran, no-tax Florida living, less pressure compared to NY Giants, and the appeal of starting anew.
  • Notable Quote: “He’s not going to work for Joe Schoen. So unless the Giants fire Joe Schoen, he’s not going to be there.” (01:04:36)

• Mike McDaniel’s Future:

  • “He is going to be extremely coveted… plenty of teams lined up to hire Mike McDaniel.” (01:14:35)
  • High-level coaches now far less anxious about getting fired: “If you’ve got 20 million, 30 million, 40 million, if shit hits the fan tomorrow, head hits the pillow every night, you don’t have that much anxiety.” (01:16:13)

10. College Football Transfer/NIL 'Fugazi'

• Deep dive into the Desmond Williams QB contract saga (Washington/Lane Kiffin/LSU): “These aren’t employment contracts… that’s the whole fugazi with college football, no one is working together.” (01:23:07)
• Middlekauff empathizes with young players being lured by NIL money, but acknowledges the ensuing chaos and lack of enforcement.

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On College Football’s Wild Transfer Window:
  “It’s the whole fugazi with college football… the Big Ten and SEC don’t even care about screwing each other, let alone inside the conference.” (01:25:07)

• On Targeting Penalties:
  “To kick these young kids out of a game, it’s like criminal activity to me. It’s insanity. I think it’s crazy.” (06:06)

• On the Miami Win: "Survive and advance. That’s all you've got to do in the College Football Playoffs." (00:55)

• On Division II Transfer QB Trinidad: “Trinidad is one of the coolest stories in college sports in a long, long time… Division 2 to starting quarterback in a Final Four team, and that team’s Ole Miss!” (45:28)

• On Mario Cristobal and ‘NFL-ness’ of Miami: "There's no disputing. His team is built a lot like an NFL team." (05:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:55 — Opening: Miami escapes to reach national championship
• 03:47 — Historical context: Miami’s past dominance, state of the program
• 07:28 — Game analysis: Miami’s mistakes, dropped interceptions, penalties
• 09:28 — Ole Miss resilience and Kewan Lacy’s explosive TD
• 17:20 — Carson Beck’s up-and-down performance
• 22:10 — Pivotal Miami game-winning drive; clock management
• 28:40 — Miami’s Mark Fletcher and Malachi Tony singled out as stars
• 35:30 — Transfer portal, Trinidad’s rise, what it means for CFB
• 41:20 — If Miami had lost; respect for Ole Miss’s run
• 45:15 — Trinidad: Division II to Final Four spotlight
• 49:25 — Miami team style, Mario Cristobal’s fingerprints
• 53:46 — Glendale field complaints
• 58:19 — Miami Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel news drops
• 01:00:41 — John Harbaugh’s fit and leverage in Miami
• 01:04:36 — Giants GM situation blocks Harbaugh
• 01:14:35 — Mike McDaniel’s coaching market
• 01:16:13 — Modern coaches and job security/wealth
• 01:23:07 — Fugazi Friday: The Washington/Lane Kiffin/NIL quarterback contract saga

Final Thoughts & Tone

John Middlekauff delivers a colorful, entertaining, and astute breakdown, heavy on football detail but relatable to casual and diehard fans alike. He respects the resilience of both Miami and Ole Miss while not shying away from highlighting crucial mistakes and controversial calls. His segments on the transfer portal, NIL, and NFL coaching carousel highlight the current volatility in both major football spheres. There's an undercurrent of nostalgia for tougher, simpler football but a grudging respect for the sport's evolution.

Summary:
If you missed the episode, you’ll come away knowing how Miami barely survived to reach the title game, which players—especially Mark Fletcher, Malachi Tony, and Trinidad—stood out, what strategic and officiating quirks shaped the outcome, and how this game fits into the broader story of college football’s wild new era. The host also weaves in pressing NFL coaching drama, drawing sharp, inside-football insights with a punchy, conversational style.