The Herd with Colin Cowherd: 3 & Out – What’s Going on with the Raiders, Is Luke Fickell the Problem at Wisconsin, and Baker for MVP?

Host: John Middlekauff
Podcast Feed: The Herd with Colin Cowherd / 3 and Out
Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Middlekauff dives into a packed mailbag to tackle some of the most pressing questions and storylines in football as of October 2025. The highlights include the turmoil with the Las Vegas Raiders, questions around Wisconsin’s football program under Luke Fickell, and the resurgence of Baker Mayfield as a legitimate MVP candidate. Middlekauff brings his signature blend of blunt honesty, humor, and insider perspective, addressing listener questions on NFL and college football's hot topics with detailed, practical analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jonathan Gannon’s Sideline Incident and NFL Fines

[04:11–13:15]

• Jonathan Gannon was fined $100,000 for physically expressing anger towards a player (Emari Demercado) after a costly mistake.
• Middlekauff sees the fine as “insane” and more about NFL “PR theater” than a true concern about sideline decorum.
• Context: The player fumbled near the goal line, arguably costing the Cardinals the game—they were in total control up to that play.
• Football culture is more physical and intense than “any other profession” (insurance cubicle, etc.), and such sideline incidents happen “all the time.”

"I think fines are egregiously high ... Most of these guys are not Patrick Mahomes making 50 million."
—John Middlekauff [07:45]

• Gannon apologized and the host found it genuine: “He regretted it … he didn’t hit the guy in the face, like, hit him in the pad.”
• Conclusion: Fine was “over the top” and the NFL is simply “pure theater … reactionary” to public perception.

2. The Raiders: Where Do They Go From Here?

[64:35–71:50]

• New leadership in place ("adults in the room": Brady, Spytek, Pete Carroll, Kelly) but team is a mess and undergoing yet another rebuild.
• Using the #6 pick on a running back is questionable, but the team saw him as the “best player on the board” in a weak draft.
• Issues with O-line adjustments, Pete Carroll hiring his son, etc.—suggest more chaos than order.
• Middlekauff suggests extending Max Crosby is “a waste” on this roster; trading him might net “a 1 and 2 twos” and be better long-term.
• The ongoing struggle is they behave as if they’re on the cusp ("trying to win now"), but clearly are not—a tension between reality and leadership’s actions.

“I think it's more of an indication of like how shitty this team is. Like they've been bad for a real long time.”
—John Middlekauff [67:20]

3. Baker Mayfield for MVP?

[1:45:23–1:48:00]

• Middlekauff acknowledges a listener who placed a 40–1 MVP bet on Baker in the offseason: “I would feel better about Baker than John Matier [Heisman]…”
• Baker’s play has “that it factor…kind of a special player” and the host reflects that John Dorsey may have been right seeing Brett Favre qualities in him.
• On fandom: Host affirms the validity of a Browns fan switching allegiance to Baker and the Buccaneers, given the mess around Deshaun Watson and Cleveland's leadership.

“I’m not saying Brett Favre’s a better player than Baker Mayfield, but was he kind of right? Because Baker Mayfield has something… that it factor.”
—John Middlekauff [1:43:05]

4. Wisconsin’s Football Woes – Is Luke Fickell the Problem?

[1:39:25–1:42:45]

• Wisconsin hired Fickell, expecting a turnaround—so far, a huge disappointment.
• The host explores possible factors: more competition for talent due to expanded conferences, not enough “players to go around.”
• Fickell may have benefited from unique conditions at Cincinnati not easily replicated at Wisconsin.
• “Sometimes it’s not possible to be what you once were …” suggests a reality check for Wisconsin fans.

“I just wonder if in 2025 it's not possible to be like what you once were.”
—John Middlekauff [1:41:29]

• Suggests Mike McCarthy as a potential hire should Wisconsin move on from Fickell.

5. Other Noteworthy Mailbag Topics

NFL & College Football Pet Peeves

[29:10–36:05]

• College: “Targeting ejections” for accidental hits remain a huge annoyance; believes it’s punitive and outdated.
• NFL: Dislikes 40+ yard pass interference penalties, automatic first downs for minor defensive holding. Suggests revising these rules.

“It infuriates me … how are we still doing this [targeting ejections] in 2025?”
—John Middlekauff [31:36]

Coordinator Hiring in the NFL

[19:50–22:55]

• Most OCs/DCs come from previous connections—people who’ve worked together on earlier staffs.
• Example: Dan Campbell working with Ben Johnson in Miami; Sean McVay hiring Kevin O’Connell based on prior work with him in Washington.

“How did I meet most of my friends in the NFL? Well, I just worked for the Eagles and they worked there too.”
—John Middlekauff [21:31]

Why Don’t More Teams Run the “Tush Push?”

[40:55–42:48]

• It’s about the QB–center exchange, trust, and comfort—blood, sweat, and years of reps.
• “Coaches do not trust many people with their hands in the center’s ass besides a quarterback.”

Conference-Based Red Zone Concept in College Football

[23:10–27:35]

• Unlikely due to media rights complexity and less simultaneous action per conference compared to NFL Sundays.

Kyler Murray & Cardinals: Time for a Divorce?

[1:33:50–1:37:58]

• Murray’s limitations are pronounced; “kind of out on guys that are really short.”
• Trading him wouldn’t net much (maybe a 2nd or 3rd rounder); host sees limited upside for either side.

Why Does Mark Davis Get So Much Hate?

[1:37:58–1:40:45]

• Raiders’ dysfunction is chronic and he's the only constant, but Middlekauff credits Davis for trying and spending money—Gruden’s unprecedented contract, pursuit of Tom Brady.
• “If you just lose all the time, who are you supposed to blame?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bill Belichick’s likely departure (opening):
  “All signs kind of point to that happening now—which is insane. If you would have told me even the biggest haters that he wouldn't make it to week six... I definitely would not have.” [02:17]

• On the state of the AFC:
  “If the Steelers are one of your best, four or five teams, like, the NFC is better than you.” [35:18]

• On transfer fees for college football realignment:
  “If I'm Oregon, why do I care if Fresno State's mad that I took their player? … The Power 4 teams don’t give a shit about the smaller schools.” [1:49:57]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:11 — Gannon fined $100,000 for sideline incident
• 07:45 — NFL fines out of touch with player salaries
• 29:10 — Pet peeves in NFL & college football rules
• 40:55 — The “tush push” and why not every team can do it
• 64:35 — Raiders’ woes and rebuilding themes
• 1:33:50 — Time to move on from Kyler Murray?
• 1:37:58 — Is Mark Davis really the problem for the Raiders?
• 1:39:25 — Luke Fickell’s struggles at Wisconsin & possible Mike McCarthy hire
• 1:43:05 — Baker Mayfield’s resurgence and “it factor”
• 1:45:23 — Listener bets: Baker MVP, Matier Heisman

Tone & Style

John Middlekauff brings his trademark direct, sometimes irreverent, style—balancing pointed criticism with humor and relatability. He draws heavily on personal experience from inside the NFL and references casual, real-world metaphors ("insurance cubicle," "my wife freaking out over undercooked rice") to anchor his points.

Summary Takeaways

• The Raiders remain in flux, struggling under major leadership changes and questionable draft picks.
• The NFL’s discipline policies are more about optics than actual standard-setting for coaches or players.
• College football’s new power dynamics are making it harder for programs like Wisconsin to maintain historic success.
• The “Baker for MVP” narrative has legs—he’s one of the feel-good stories of the season.
• The show doubles as a lively, wide-ranging listener Q&A packed with insight, off-the-cuff remarks, and strong opinions on football’s most complex questions in 2025.