The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd"

Episode Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: John Middlekauff, Mark Schlereth, Dan Beyer
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

Overview

This episode of "The Herd" features Colin Cowherd’s sharp and candid takes on the current state of the NFL and college football as the 2025 season approaches. Major topics include realistic expectations for the Chicago Bears and new QB Caleb Williams, a spirited defense of college football’s shift toward a more NFL-like format, and Colin’s last big pre-season “Herd Hierarchy” ranking the NFL’s top teams. Insights from recurring guests John Middlekauff and Mark Schlereth round out a lively and content-rich show.

Main Discussion Themes

1. Realistic Expectations for the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams

• Context: Colin dives into the optimism and hype surrounding rookie QB Caleb Williams and new offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
• Key Point: Colin stresses that “happiness is tied to expectations” (03:19), urging Bears fans to balance hope with realism in a tough NFC North.
• Win-Loss Exercise: Colin methodically breaks down the Bears’ schedule, giving them generous division splits and home wins against key opponents. Even under an “incredibly optimistic” assumption, he lands at a 9-8 record.
• Division Context:
  • “In a division where Kevin O’Connell and Matt Lafleur and Dan Campbell have already proven they’re elite head coaches... I got 9 and 8.” (06:55)
• Preseason Caution: Dan Beyer and others echo that while “everything you’re looking for” from Williams is present, it’s crucial not to overreact to preseason performances.
  • Dan Beyer: “If you’re a Bears fan, you’re fired up... It looks like a great start. I would just say it’s preseason football.” (08:25)

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd:
  • “Your happiness is directly correlated to your expectations in life.” (03:24)
  • “Nine and eight from positive Uncle Colin. Nine and eight. I think that’s realistic. Maybe a bit positive.” (08:53)

Timestamps

• [03:19] – Setting expectations for Bears fans
• [06:55] – Analysis of NFC North’s coaching landscape
• [08:24] – Dan Beyer’s take on Williams and preseason hype

2. Why College Football Is Becoming More Like the NFL (And Why That’s Good)

• Colin’s Argument: Responding to a Sports Illustrated headline, Colin makes a passionate case for college football's NFL-style evolution, especially with expanded playoffs and loaded schedules.
• Focus on Content:
  • “College football has always had a big game problem.” (10:13)
  • “If you’re offered Outback Steakhouse or Morton’s Steakhouse, choose the latter. The first one’s fine. The second one’s excellent.” (09:07)
• Examples of New Schedules: He cites Oklahoma, Texas, and Oregon’s 2025 slates—filled with “must-watch games”—as evidence of improvement over “parochial” old rivalries.
• Root for Drama, Not Tradition: While acknowledging personal biases, Colin asserts that more meaningful games and less punishment for “gutters” (losses) will drive better content.
• John Middlekauff’s Counterpoint: Gives space to concerns about small-market programs (Oregon State, Washington State) squeezed out by the new format.
  • “Those programs were in the big conference and they kind of got screwed while they tried. But I guess it’s business.” (16:33)

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd:
  • “College football’s taken away the bumpers from the bowling lanes. Ohio State threw a gutter against Michigan and yet made the playoff. That is a good thing.” (09:36)
  • “If you’re paying players, it’s time. Thank you, God. College football’s taking the bumpers out of your bowling alley.” (13:24)
• John Middlekauff:
  • “I understand the little guy... those programs were in the big conference and they kind of got screwed while they tried. But I guess it’s business. They just weren’t big enough.” (16:33)

Timestamps

• [09:07] – Steakhouse analogy for college football’s upgrades
• [10:13] – The “big game problem”
• [13:24] – Embracing chaos: “throwing gutters”
• [16:00] – John Middlekauff’s “little guy” perspective

3. Colin’s Final Pre-Season ‘Herd Hierarchy’ NFL Rankings

• Top 10 Teams: Detailed rationale for each spot, accounting for roster moves, coaching changes, division challengers, and preseason injuries.
  • Notable Surprises:
    • Detroit falls to 10 due to losing both top coordinators (21:54).
    • Rams, normally top 3, dropped to 8 over Stafford injury worries.
    • Denver rockets to 4 after elite defensive additions and O-line stability.
  • Top 3:
    • #3 Baltimore: “They do everything well... probably the best run organization along with Kansas City in the National Football League, maybe Philadelphia.” (26:20)
    • #2 Buffalo: “The world’s best football player is Josh Allen... he’s able to do things to extend plays and elevate teammates that nobody else in the sport can do.” (27:01)
    • #1 Philadelphia: Youngest and cheapest defense, great lines, “do everything right” but less dynamic if forced to throw from behind compared to Buffalo or KC.

Notable Quotes

• “I like teams that are quiet in July and August. They have been.” (re: Green Bay, 22:26)
• “No team played more rookies than the Rams last year... but they were also the least penalized team in the league.” (22:53)
• “They not only went out and acquired new players, but really high end players...” (on Denver, 32:05)

Timestamps

• [21:54] – Detroit at #10
• [22:26] – Green Bay context
• [25:49] – Kansas City at #5
• [28:29] – Colin closes out the list and explains why some teams (e.g., Chargers and Bengals) are left out

4. In-Depth Denver Broncos Breakdown with Mark Schlereth

• Roster Construction: Sean Payton’s willingness to make difficult decisions (e.g., moving on from Russell Wilson despite cap implications) has shaped a more mature and cohesive roster.
• Camp Insights: Mark Schlereth lauds the Broncos' depth, saying their “second and third teamers” outclassed Arizona’s across scrimmages.
• O-Line Focus: Both Colin and Schlereth stress how offensive head coaches rebuild lines; PFF now ranks Denver’s O-line 2nd-best in the NFL.
• Chiefs Left Tackle Josh Simmons:
  • Schlereth: “He was my favorite player coming out of the draft... If that dude’s healthy, I’m telling you what, they got the steal of the draft.” (36:02)
• QB-Fit Discussion: Colin compares the Ben Johnson–Caleb Williams partnership to other legendary but sometimes imperfect coach-QB marriages, advocating for balance between improvisation and discipline.
  • Schlereth: “For me, run the play, improvise when only necessary... You may make two or three big plays, but you’re going to fall to disaster three or four times.” (40:01)
• Commanders Outlook: Optimism around Jaden Daniels and Dan Quinn; Terry McLaurin’s contract situation discussed as a key pivot point.

Notable Quotes

• Mark Schlereth:
  • “He doesn’t care what you think, Colin. He doesn’t care what I think. He knows what he wants and he was able to create exactly what he wanted.” (on Sean Payton, 33:15)
  • “We hoped we could win. This year we know we can win.” (Broncos camp mindset, 33:30)
  • “I wanted to have that in my head... When I watch this guy play, he’s got that kind of footwork as a college player. Most college players don’t. I loved him.” (on Josh Simmons, 36:55)

Timestamps

• [32:05] – Setting up Denver Broncos discussion
• [33:15] – Schlereth on Sean Payton’s roster approach
• [36:02] – Schlereth on Josh Simmons
• [39:04] – QB-coach fit, Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams
• [41:46] – Commanders’ 2025 forecast

5. Memorable Personal Moment: Mark Schlereth’s New York “Hole-in-the-Wall” Restaurant Story

• Mark Schlereth shares a relatable take on favorite routines and finding consistency, both in food and film.
  • “If I go to a place and I order a meal and I love that meal, I’ll never order anything else off the menu… I love the bolognese.” (44:55)

Notable Quotes & Highlights (with Timestamps)

• [03:24] Colin: “Your happiness is directly correlated to your expectations in life.”
• [09:36] Colin: “College football’s taken away the bumpers from the bowling lanes. Ohio State threw a gutter against Michigan and yet made the playoff. That is a good thing.”
• [13:24] Colin: “Thank you, God. College football’s taking the bumpers out of your bowling alley.”
• [33:15] Mark Schlereth: “He doesn’t care what you think, Colin... He knows what he wants and he was able to create exactly what he wanted.”
• [36:55] Mark Schlereth: “When I watch this guy play, he’s got that kind of footwork as a college player. Most college players don’t. I loved him.”
• [40:01] Mark Schlereth: “For me, run the play, improvise when only necessary... Otherwise you end up not winning the game but losing it based on that stuff.”

Episode Structure & Flow

The episode bounces between macro-level trends (college football and the NFL’s changing landscapes), grounded with granular analysis (team breakdowns, coaching impacts, player fits). Colin sets a conversational but direct tone, often inviting co-hosts and guests to challenge or nuance his takes. The “Herd Hierarchy” segment is the episode’s centerpiece, sandwiched between broader discussions on football’s evolving narratives and in-depth guest analysis.

Summary

For fans seeking perspective before the 2025 football season, this episode offers both Colin’s signature mix of realism and enthusiasm, and practical breakdowns of big storylines: how to frame hope for a hyped franchise QB, why bigger is better for college football, and which NFL teams are truly positioned for a deep playoff run. Mark Schlereth’s detailed O-line and roster insights, paired with personal anecdotes, round out an episode that balances stats, storytelling, and sports wisdom.

Useful for listeners who missed the show: This summary covers all major talking points, notable moments, and key arguments, with clear attributions and timestamps for further exploration.