Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Episode 3 & Out (Stuckey Joins the Podcast)
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In this festive episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the hosts—John Middelkoff, Stucky, and Doug Gottlieb—delve into a comprehensive discussion on the current state of the NFL and college football as the season winds down. Celebrating the holiday season, the trio blends their usual sports analysis with personal anecdotes and spirited banter, providing listeners with an engaging and insightful dive into the latest sports narratives.

Holiday Greetings and Season Overview

[03:04] John Middelkoff opens the podcast with warm holiday greetings:
"Merry Christmas to all my parents out there... have a few cocktails, watch the little ball."

[03:10] Stucky adds, emphasizing the importance of family and relaxation during the holidays:
"Hope everyone's having a good holiday, enjoying their families and just kind of chilling, relaxing, hanging out."

The hosts set a festive tone, acknowledging the season's impact on their schedules and sports viewership.

NFL Playoff Implications and Team Analyses

The conversation shifts to the NFL's playoff picture, focusing on key teams and their prospects.

Injury Reports and Team Performance

[09:36] Doug Gottlieb discusses the Steelers' struggles, highlighting significant injuries:
"Their defense is ravaged by injuries... Joey Porter Jr. Got hurt... Their corner situation without Porter, they can't really run some of the stuff they want to run."

[10:47] Stucky reflects on the impact of injuries on the Steelers:
"They are... missing a start on the defensive line... Hard to see the Steelers."

Ravens vs. Chiefs Battle

[11:19] Doug Gottlieb analyzes the upcoming Ravens vs. Chiefs matchup, focusing on injuries and team motivation:
"The Ravens defense is trending up... Texans offense is very limited now."

[12:13] John Middelkoff provides insights into the Chiefs' strategies:
"It's like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, I'm going to end this fucking thing right now."

Playoff Scenarios

[22:34] Doug Gottlieb explains the tiebreaker scenarios in the AFC North:
"The Steelers have the tiebreaker as of now... The AFC north is TBD for the rest of the way."

[23:52] Stucky discusses Rams' control over their destiny and implications for the Seahawks:
"The Rams control their own destiny... They have the tiebreaker..."

College Football Bowl Games Analysis

Transitioning to college football, the hosts evaluate the upcoming bowl games, focusing on team performances and player opt-outs.

Opt-Outs and Team Readiness

[38:26] Stucky remarks on the challenges faced by teams with numerous opt-outs:
"Every day you look up, there's another guy, another guy, another guy."

[42:56] Doug Gottlieb analyzes specific bowl matchups, emphasizing the unpredictability due to opt-outs:
"Syracuse should blow out Washington State... Texas Tech could have a better backup quarterback."

Notable Bowl Games

• Oklahoma vs. Navy:
  [40:13] John Middelkoff:
  "Oklahoma feels a little lost right now... struggling with the triple option."

• USC vs. Texas A&M:
  [38:53] Doug Gottlieb:
  "USC has a bunch of receivers opt out, but they still have talent there."

• Syracuse vs. Washington State:
  [39:45] Stucky:
  "Their defensive coordinator was fired... it's an absolute mess."

Motivation and Team Focus

[42:53] Stucky discusses team motivations in bowl games:
"The service Academy in the bowl always show up... motivation is huge for these meaningless bowl games."

Thursday Night Football and Team Performances

Seahawks vs. Bears Preview

[29:56] John Middelkoff previews the Thursday Night Football game:
"Coverage begins at 7pm with football's best party, TNF Tonight, live from Chicago."

Performance Critiques

[31:11] John Middelkoff critiques the Bears' performance in recent games:
"Caleb touchdowns... he hasn't thrown a pick... not even playing in real football games."

[32:16] Stucky praises Geno's performance under pressure:
"One big takeaway... one of the better games he's ever played... calm, cool, and collected."

[34:04] Doug Gottlieb emphasizes the Ravens' defensive improvements:
"Ravens defense is trending up... handling Injuries better."

Strategic Betting Insights

The hosts provide betting strategies based on current team performances and injury reports.

Underdog Analysis

[34:25] Stucky discusses the challenges of betting on the Bears:
"Touchable touchdowns down multiple scores... give me a break."

[34:30] Doug Gottlieb advises caution with the Bears:
"Worse defensively... difficult to bet the Bears right now."

Bets on Specific Games

[38:26] Stucky highlights potential value in bowl games with significant opt-outs:
"Friday's Oklahoma vs. Navy... Arkansas's offense is a mess."

Motivational Segment: Taking a Timeout Against Hate

In a heartfelt segment, the hosts address societal issues beyond sports.

[27:15] Lavar Arrington (guest speaker):
"The hate in our country is getting out of control... we need to call a timeout against hate."

[48:10] Doug Gottlieb echoes the sentiment:
"We're all on the same team in this country... take a timeout against hate."

Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes

As the episode concludes, the hosts reflect on the upcoming weeks in sports and extend their holiday wishes.

[45:40] Doug Gottlieb:
"Merry Christmas, Happy holidays to everyone. Early Happy New Year and I'll see you next week."

[46:06] Doug Gottlieb looks forward to future sports discussions:
"Excited to talk about that, but Merry Christmas... focus on college for sure."

[47:42] Doug Gottlieb:
"Cheers. The volume."

Notable Quotes

• John Middelkoff [03:04]:
  "Merry Christmas to all my parents out there... have a few cocktails, watch the little ball."

• Stucky [09:36]:
  "They are... missing a start on the defensive line... Hard to see the Steelers."

• Doug Gottlieb [11:19]:
  "The Ravens defense is trending up... Texans offense is very limited now."

• Lavar Arrington [27:15]:
  "The hate in our country is getting out of control... we need to call a timeout against hate."

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers listeners a thorough analysis of the current NFL playoff landscape, the unpredictable nature of college bowl games, and a poignant message urging unity against societal hate. With festive cheer and expert insights, John Middelkoff, Stucky, and Doug Gottlieb deliver a memorable episode that balances sports enthusiasm with meaningful commentary.

Note: The timestamps referenced correspond to the podcast transcript provided and serve to attribute quotes accurately.