The Herd with Colin Cowherd: "3 & Out - Sherrone Moore OUT at Michigan, CFP Playoff Debate, Zoned In"

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff
Guest/Producer: Jackson

Overview

In this episode of "3 & Out," John Middlekauff and producer Jackson pivot from their usual NFL focus to break down the shocking firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, the ensuing chaos in college football coaching searches, and the seismic, often controversial, shifts in the structure of the College Football Playoff (CFP). The episode then dives into major bowl matchups, the playoff field, Notre Dame's snub, opt-out culture, and the broader issues facing college football—namely money, leadership, and the rapidly evolving transfer/portal and NIL landscapes. The guys close out by discussing the NFL playoff bracket, likely contenders, coaching carousel highlights, and a unique segment on Philip Rivers’ possible NFL return.

Sherrone Moore Fired at Michigan: Reactions & Implications

[02:51] – [13:20] Key Segment

• Breaking News: Michigan fires head coach Sherrone Moore for "cause," allegedly due to a relationship with a staff member. John and Jackson hit the mics just after the news broke.
  • "Massive, massive news that Michigan has fired Sherrone Moore… it feels like, 'we were looking for a reason and we got one.'" — John (03:13)
• Speculation on Motivation: Both express doubts this would have been a fireable offense with a better season—a 9-3 record is "the new 7-5" at big-money programs, especially with disappointing losses and underperformance.
  • "At some of these programs, if you're winning, you can do whatever you want. But when it starts going less than 10 wins, less than playoff berths, you start looking around like, 'We want out of this.'" — John (04:14)
• The New College Football Reality: NIL and huge contracts mean schools monitor coaches closely—ready to pounce on any reason for a "for cause" firing, thus avoiding big buyouts.
• Coaching Fit & Play Style: Moore was not seen as the right fit—too conservative, uninspired offensively, and not aggressive enough, especially considering Michigan's expectations.
  • "He was kind of like laxadaisical… didn't really have aggressive playcalling offensively. The Oklahoma game, the Indiana game last year, even the Ohio State game—we're going to run the ball down your throat even though our best running backs are both injured… it's a sticky situation." — Jackson (08:29)
• Recruiting Fallout: Questions surround the future of Bryce Underwood, Michigan’s highly paid ($20 million) quarterback recruit, and the overall stability of the program.
  • "Is he going to stay? Is he going to go to LSU, where he was committed… it could get weird in Michigan." — Jackson (09:12)

Michigan Coaching Search: Who’s Next?

[13:20] – [23:32]

• Top Job in College Football?: Michigan’s resources, NIL, and tradition make it a "top five job," but the timing—after the regular cycle—leaves few top candidates.

  • "If this job was open, I think it would be considered right there with LSU… my initial reaction… DeBoer (ex-Washington/Penn State) would be in the mix." — John (06:57)

• Names Floated:

  • DeBoer: Fit in culture, but teams "not that tough."
  • Jed Fisch: Has Michigan ties but only moderate media buzz; considered a realistic option rather than a "splash" hire.
  • Mike McCarthy (Cowboys), Jeff Hafley (Packers), Manny Diaz: Various issues with fit or lack of head coaching success.
  • Matt Campbell: Would've felt "like Michigan" if hired earlier in the cycle.
  • Longshots: Brian Kelly ("Michigan fans would puke"), Lincoln Riley ("defensive issues"), and others.
  • "If you tell me Jesse Minter (Chargers DC, ex-Michigan DC) is our next coach, you think Michigan Reddit and their fan base is going to be fired up? No offense to him…" — John (25:55)

• Timing Pitfall: Most attractive Group of Five and Poachable Power Five coaches already taken.

Wider College Football Themes: Coaching, Expectations & Buyouts

[23:16] – [28:35]

• Pressure-Cooker Environment: Top jobs = top scrutiny. A 9-3 season, previously good, is now grounds for finding "cause." The buyouts are so high, schools are desperate for loopholes.
  • "Because nine and three to me is the old seven and five now… and then getting blown out by your rival." — John (12:00)
• Chilling Effect on Successors: Risk of hiring in-house/"heir apparent" coaches—rarely works as well as hoped unless you get a rare Ryan Day-type success.

Notre Dame Playoff Snub & Opt-Out Debate

[34:42] – [44:59] Key Segment

• Chaos & Emotional Fallout: Notre Dame is left out of the expanded playoff, and their AD goes on a public rant, blaming the ACC and ESPN.
  • "Notre Dame fans are all in agreement… they got screwed… and are cool with not playing the game. I couldn't disagree anymore." — John (38:16)
• Notre Dame’s Outdated Attitude: Brand no longer inspires the nationwide love/hate it once did; young fans are more indifferent—ND is living off past glory, not present dominance.
• Opt-Out Controversy: John calls Notre Dame’s bowl withdrawal "a fucking embarrassment," arguing it undermines team/program culture.
  • "Not playing in the bowl game… it really is [an embarrassment]." — John (44:16)
• Coaches Should Lead: Calls out Marcus Freeman for not using adversity as an opportunity to rally the team.
  • "I just think it was a moment for Marcus Freeman to be like, we're playing. If you don't want to play, you're injured or opt out, obviously, but cool. But we're playing in a game and we're going to practice and we're going to run this program. And they didn't. And I just think it's…an embarrassment." — John (60:17)

The College Football Playoff: Expansion, Problems & Solutions

[61:58] – [76:12]

• Is Expansion the Solution?: Lively debate about where to draw the line (12? 16? 24 teams?) and concerns that every expansion brings new headaches.
  • "Isn't that what D1 double A's [has]? They're 24. That feels like a lot…" — John (62:31)
• Conference Championships as “Play-ins”: Argue that conference title games could (or should) serve as the first playoff round but inconsistency, scheduling, and lack of leadership make it a mess.
• Chaos Without a Central Authority: NCAA is irrelevant; conferences, TV partners, and money call the shots. No true national leadership—just a “two-tier” system (north vs. south, Big Ten vs SEC).
• Rubber Meets the Road: College football is "always really complicated," with perpetual committees and human voting, unlike the straightforward, formula-based NFL.

Playoff Field, Matchups & Contender Breakdown

[79:13] – [108:03]

• First-Round Matchups: Oklahoma-Alabama and Texas A&M-Miami are the only non-mismatches; others (Tulane-Ole Miss, James Madison-Oregon) are predicted blowouts.
  • "I'd be stunned if that game's not, like, 50 to 15 or something." — John, on James Madison-Oregon (80:17)
• Oklahoma’s Defensive Renaissance: Venables credited with transformative defense—could make Oklahoma a Cinderella.
  • "Their defense is incredible, which is crazy because all of my life it was like…their defense sucked. Now it's like their defense is picking dudes off, the pass rush incredible." — John (82:09)
• SEC Dynasty & Style: Saban’s Alabama can’t run the ball anymore — a paradigm shift. Programs expected to be "physical"; "soft" teams (like Lane’s Ole Miss or Riley’s USC) frustrate traditional boosters.
• Miami-Texas A&M: "Big moment" for both programs, especially QBs Carson Beck (A&M) and Marcel Reed (Miami). Trust in Elko's defensive coaching.
  • "Can Carson Beck…handle this? It’s a big moment for his football career and I’m gonna lean…I’m taking Elko." — John (90:07)
• Georgia & Gunnar Stockton Emerging: Georgia described as the "most dangerous" and "hottest" team—depth, experience, and coaching advantages. Fiesta Bowl projection: Georgia vs. Ohio State.
• Playoff Fatigue & Attrition: Paths to the title vary in toughness. Physical toll as key advantage/disadvantage.

Quarterback Class, NFL Draft, Coaching Carousel

[108:03] – [124:22]

• QB Draft Chatter: Mendoza (Cal/Indiana) "legit #1 pick" potential, physically imposing and battle-tested. Dante Moore (Oregon) could rise but less experience, needs another year.
  • "Mendoza’s pretty clear one. He’s bigger…closer to like Andrew Luck measurements…Herbert’s got a stronger arm. Both good athletes." — John (112:54)
• Coaches Leaving During Playoff: Concern about coordinators (Will Stein, Oregon OC; Brian Hartline, Ohio State) having divided, distracted attention due to new jobs.
• Top Coaching Hires & Head-Scratchers:
  • Favorite Fits: Jon Sumrall to Florida (energy/identity), Tosh Lupoi at Cal (driven recruiter/fit for unique program), Matt Campbell to Penn State ("feels like a Penn State guy" but with huge expectations).
  • UCLA: Hard to attract big names; Bob Chesney (ex-JMU) regarded as a holding pattern hire ("just don’t think anyone’s taking their job").
  • Cool Trend: More alma mater hires (Clark Lee at Vandy, Colin Klein at K-State, Dillingham at ASU).

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 03:13 | "Massive, massive news that Michigan has fired Sherrone Moore… it feels like, 'we were looking for a reason and we got one.'" | John | | 08:29 | "He was kind of like laxadaisical… didn't really have aggressive playcalling offensively… this is a sticky situation." | Jackson | | 12:00 | "Because nine and three to me is the old seven and five now… and getting blown out by your rival." | John | | 38:16 | "Notre Dame fans are all in agreement that they got screwed and are very angry and are cool with not playing the game. I couldn't disagree anymore." | John | | 44:16 | "Not playing in the bowl game… it really is [an embarrassment]." | John | | 61:58 | "Do you think 16 teams will solve the issues? How do they fix the CFP? It seems like an argument every year…" | Jackson | | 80:17 | "I'd be stunned if that game's not, like, 50 to 15 or something." | John (James Madison-Oregon) | | 82:09 | "Their defense is incredible, which is crazy because all of my life it was like…their defense sucked. Now it's like their defense is picking dudes off…" | John (Oklahoma) | | 90:07 | "Can Carson Beck…handle this? It’s a big moment for his football career and I’m gonna lean…I’m taking Elko." | John (A&M vs. Miami) | | 112:54 | "Mendoza’s pretty clear one. He’s bigger…closer to like Andrew Luck measurements…Herbert’s got a stronger arm. Both good athletes." | John (QB draft) |

Final Segment: "Zoned In" — Philip Rivers’ Comeback Watch

[124:28] – End

• John closes with a light, fun segment on Philip Rivers potentially returning to play NFL QB at age 44: highlighting the spectacle of a massive family presence and the sense of joy that comeback stories bring.
  • "There is going to be no person if he plays in this game more zoned in… than Philip Rivers." — John (124:59)

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Sherrone Moore Out at Michigan: 02:51–13:20
• Michigan Coaching Search: 13:20–23:32
• Broader Coaching/Program Trends: 23:32–28:47
• Notre Dame Playoff Drama & Opt-Outs: 34:42–61:18
• CFP Expansion & Leadership Issues: 61:58–76:12
• Playoff Matchups & Breakdown: 79:13–108:03
• Draft Class & Coaching Carousel: 108:03–124:22
• Philip Rivers "Zoned In" Story: 124:28–126:42

Tone and Takeaways

• Candid, Unfiltered, and Analytical: John and Jackson don’t pull punches about the business of college football, the lack of loyalty and patience at blue-blood programs, and the endless half-measures from leadership and TV partners.
• Insider Knowledge, Not Just Hot Takes: Good blend of humor, behind-the-scenes realities (coaching searches, buyouts), but also detailed schematic and personnel talk (especially regarding defenses, quarterbacks, and recruiting).
• Memorable Rants: Particularly John’s strong stand on program culture and the embarrassment of opt-outs from bowl games, as well as his skepticism of administrative whining.
• Comprehensive, Exhaustive Coverage: Listeners get a wide sweep—from breaking news analysis to playoff strategy, to tomorrow’s coaching names, to inside-the-game anecdotes and trends.

Ideal for: College football junkies, fans tracking coaching movements, those curious about how money has changed the sport, and anyone frustrated (or entertained) by the unpredictable and often illogical reality of modern college football.