The Herd with Colin Cowherd

3 & Out – Reaction to Fernando Mendoza & Indiana DESTROYING Oregon in CFP Semifinal

Date: January 10, 2026
Host: John Middlekoff (with producer Jackson)
Podcast Feed: The Volume / iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, in-depth recap and analysis of Indiana's shocking dominance over Oregon in the College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal, led by star quarterback Fernando Mendoza. John Middlekoff and producer Jackson break down how Indiana, formerly a perennial underdog, delivered one of the most astounding two-game stretches in recent college football history and preview the implications for the National Championship versus Miami. The episode interweaves tactical football insight, historical perspective, on-the-ground atmosphere, and speculation about NFL draft and coaching futures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Indiana's Transformation from Underdog to Powerhouse

• Complete Domination in Recent Games:
  Middlekoff compares Indiana’s last two blowout wins (against Alabama and now Oregon) to legendary college football teams at their peak.

  “These last two games… you go, the last three games, the Ohio State win… true football game, slugfest… These last two weeks it’s felt like, I don’t know, Peak Bama… Urban Meyer at Florida, Pete Carroll at USC… Obliterate. And the difference is… those teams were littered with first and second rounders. You remove Fernando Mendoza… handful of guys are going to get drafted. This is not Georgia three years ago…” (03:58)

• Undervalued Talent & Transfer Portal: Indiana is succeeding with mid/low 4-star and 3-star players, developed quickly via the portal.

  “They had the whole piece beforehand about all these guys coming from JMU and how they were so under recruited for the portal… Hemby was a three-star back coming out… 15th running back, they grabbed him…” (04:36, Jackson)
  “To be able to develop these guys that quick, I haven’t seen anything like it.” (05:25, Jackson)

2. On-Field Performance and Style of Play

• Balanced, NFL-Ready Offense:
  Indiana’s offense is praised as fundamentally sound, able to run and pass with efficiency and NFL-level execution.

  “Offensively they feel like a well-oiled NFL machine because they can run the ball down your throat… their well-rounded passing game. You know Mendoza is a better player than Carson Beck… three wide receivers… just a great play, right? That’s ideal pitch-and-catch.” (06:00)

• Coaching and Staff Stability:
  Head coach Kurt Signetti’s coordinators have been with him for years, building a culture and philosophy.

  “The defensive coordinator… making like $6,000 at their first stop and was on food stamps… you just signed a contract… $9 million contract… The offensive coordinator, maybe he gets… Started thinking, how does the defense coordinator not make the same?” (09:05)

3. Program Building versus Blue-Blood Expectations

• Coordinators Overlooked Compared to Peers:
  Despite stunning success, Indiana’s coordinators aren’t getting top-tier coaching interviews, unlike higher-profile counterparts.

  “If their logo… was Oregon, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, and they had had the same success for two years… how have both those guys not gotten 10 interviews?” (09:05, Middlekoff)

• Cultural Buy-In:
  Fast alumni and regional support, expectation Indiana will travel well in the championship.

  “You gotta factor in two things. They have more alumni, Miami’s a smaller school, right? … Number one alumni base in the country… By next weekend [attendance] close to five [figures].” (13:17, Middlekoff)

• Coaching Perspective:
  Signetti's age, experience, and adaptability to NIL/portal era are highlighted as key differentiators.

  “He wants to form his own Alabama. He wants to prove everyone wrong, which he already has… he’s investing in NIL, investing in the portal…” (33:21, Jackson)

4. Quarterback Analysis – Mendoza vs. Moore

• Mendoza as #1 NFL Prospect: Middlekoff assesses Fernando Mendoza as a clear #1 pick, with traits reminiscent of Matt Ryan or Jared Goff but greater athleticism and feel.

  “I think Fernando Mendoza, like Matt Ryan, like Jared Goff… similar arm… good arm, not great… but he’s got great touch, great accuracy and he throws a very nice deep ball… he’s just in complete control… a really, really good number one overall pick…” (15:07) “When you watch him play tonight, he’s just in complete control… All the Shanahan type guys … would love this guy.” (17:36)

• Dante Moore’s Struggles and Developmental Needs: Oregon’s young passer, beset by supporting-cast and offensive line issues. Middlekoff recommends Moore return to college for further seasoning.

  “He just looked overwhelmed… my recommendation, because clearly, money, you’re going to make money either way. I think he would benefit a lot from going [back].” (21:07) “If you told me Dante Moore went to the Jets, I’d be like, I would bet against it working and it could just get really ugly.” (27:15, Middlekoff)

• Discussion of ‘One-Read QB’ Criticism for Mendoza:

  “I thought there were times tonight where he went off his first read to another guy… The last touchdown I thought was not his first read.” (23:53)

5. Historical Parallels and the New Age of College Football

• Indiana's Transformation = All-Time Turnaround: The hosts reflect on possible sports parallels (Patriots, Warriors) but conclude there’s never been a story quite like Indiana’s.

  “Where would you rank this turnaround in terms of sports? … I feel like it’s the greatest turnaround we’ve seen in sports personally... 150-1 preseason to win the national championship.” (36:11, Jackson) “I don’t… I just don’t even think there’s a parallel to it, really. Sometimes you get lightning in a bottle… This feels more sustainable.” (36:46–39:39, Middlekoff)

• Transfer Era & Portal Strategy: Charlie Weis Jr. finds a Division II QB on Twitter, triggering discussion of how social media and portal scouting have changed the game.

  “Charlie Weis found his highlights on Twitter… schedules him for a visit, commits. Wasn’t even supposed to play for this season…” (40:30, Jackson) “That’s where you could do the money ball… if you find the best player, like the MVP of the MAC… that guy costs a million dollars… Signetti… is a great evaluator because he’s finding these guys these lower levels…” (41:55, Middlekoff)

6. National Championship Preview & Miami Comparison

• Indiana Favored Despite Miami’s ‘Home’ Game:
  The consensus line: Indiana -7.5, with Miami dealing with multiple injuries and Indiana judged flawless.

  “If Hard Rock hired John Middlekoff and gave me my own little book, I would set it at a touchdown… Seven and a half. That’s what it is.” (56:59–57:10)

• Miami’s Health & Talent Concerns:

  “He got his arm snapped… I think they are… pretty banged up.” (57:16, Middlekoff)
  “If Miami wins, Mario should be a made man and get a lifetime contract because that's—he’s got no business winning this game…” (58:39)

7. Stadium & Fan Experience – Producer Jackson’s Firsthand Report

• Atmosphere at the Semifinal:

  “Magnitude of that game… seeing how many stars and alumni base… walking around the sideline, you see Ray Lewis, Michael Phelps, Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Edgerrin James, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne…” (48:19, Jackson) “It felt intense… Both sides traveled well. Obviously the game was intense too, but overall just a great atmosphere… Obviously got the interview with Michael Irvin.” (49:27, Jackson)

8. Coaching Futures and “Will They Go NFL?”

• Will Signetti Jump to NFL?
  Middlekoff asserts that with NIL, total program control, and massive salary, there’s no real incentive.

  “If I’m John Spytek [Raiders GM], I don’t blame any NFL team for wanting to talk to him. But what can you offer him? … He answers to nobody. He’s like, they’re saving… I think you get in trouble in life when… you got something really, really good, you kinda gotta ride it.” (27:15–33:21, Middlekoff)

• Comparing Personalities – Signetti vs Cristobal:
  “Signetti openly talks about… I tell my guys, 7:30 and we’re out of here after dinner. Like, have a life, go see your kids… I think they’re way different personalities…” (52:22, Middlekoff)

  “Mario Cristobal almost seems more intense where it’s like… in this game he’s just going to overthink and he’s going to do something stupid…” (51:29, Jackson)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “All I can do is be like holy shit, this team is good.” — John Middlekoff (03:58)
• “If you were to remove the logo of Indiana and put an Alabama logo on there then you have that discussion.” — Jackson (04:36)
• “His [Mendoza’s] deep ball, that big game, Ohio State, multiple big deep shots tonight. That deep ball was a thing of beauty in contested areas too. Like NFL people… don’t give a shit when you hit wide open people… It’s contested catches…” — John Middlekoff (15:07)
• “He’s just not driven by money. No, no way. Now he’s just signed a $100 million contract. But he’d have to answer to people… Who’s he answering to at Indiana? He’s like a God.” — John Middlekoff (27:15)
• “You act like you’ve been there. Life’s not that complicated.” — John Middlekoff (60:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:03 | Indiana’s playoff run and setup for episode | | 03:58 | Indiana’s dominance vs Alabama & Oregon, compared to dynasties | | 04:36 | Discussion: JMU transfers, underdog stories, Hemby’s journey | | 05:25 | Development & fundamentally sound play | | 06:00 | Indiana’s offense compared to NFL units, breakdown of weapons | | 09:05 | Coordinator hiring and program perception vs reality | | 13:17 | Preview: Indiana likely to have more fans in Miami for title | | 15:07 | Mendoza vs Moore, NFL evaluation, QB mechanics | | 23:53 | ‘One-read QB’ argument analyzed for Mendoza | | 27:15 | Is Moore ready? Should he return? Warnings about QB development | | 33:21 | Signetti’s leadership, NIL, and portal strategy | | 36:10 | Is this Indiana turnaround the greatest in sports? | | 40:30 | Portal as ‘Moneyball’ & Division II stories | | 44:11 | 2026 recruiting class; credit to Miami’s investment in Beck | | 46:30 | On-the-ground: Jackson’s National Semifinal experience | | 51:29 | Cristobal's intensity vs Signetti’s style, Miami pressure | | 56:59 | Point spread for national championship game | | 58:39 | If Miami can pull off an upset, Cristobal’s legacy secured |

Tone and Language

The episode blends Middlekoff’s sharp, opinionated, conversational analysis with Jackson’s on-ground observations and historical knowledge. The tone is candid, energetic, and irreverent—marked by direct language, banter, and frequent storytelling.

Summary Takeaway

A stunning new era has dawned in college football, with Indiana rewriting the playbook for program turnarounds and talent evaluation. Their resounding victory over Oregon solidifies not just an underdog story but a blueprint for sustained success in the NIL and portal age. As the national title game looms, the Indiana–Miami showdown promises not just on-field drama, but a collision of history, culture, and college football’s rapidly shifting landscape.