Colin Cowherd (2:11)

Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio at noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Here we go live in Los Angeles. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day on a Tuesday. We got a new national champion in college football. It's more than just Ohio State, it's the Big Ten. We'll get to that in about five minutes. And jamin Mac. All right. Vrabel was the best candidate in my opinion. He goes to New England, a place he knows well. The Chicago Bears, this big iconic brand, have interviewed 17 people. And so, I mean, they, they were interviewing baristas, local chefs. They settled on Ben Johnson. But is it a settler or a note? I. So here's my take is there were two coaches I thought needed to be considered in Chicago. Mike McCarthy, who's had no owner and a meddling owner. I thought he was uniquely qualified for it. Or Ben Johnson. Is he going to be Sean McVay or Matt LaFleur or is he going to be Adam Gase and Brandon Staley? I don't know. Like young quarterbacks. A lot of it is, where do you land? Jaden Daniels got a really good O.C. a veteran coach. Caleb Williams got the Bears. It is a pave. I'm going to tell you. It's a gravel road in Chicago full of potholes. Throw in some politics and I thought vrabel and Mike McCarthy were qualified for it. They have dealt with that nonsense before. They've gone off road before. Ben Johnson, well, he knows offense. He's not taking that Lions O line with him or that incredible Lions running back room with him or the great culture builder Dan Campbell with him. Chicago is going to be tough to navigate. Matt Nagy got to the playoffs twice with Mitch Trubisky and they ran him out of town. It's a noisy city. They run managers out of town. They go after players. It's Boston, it's Philly, it's Chicago. Maybe they're Midwest nice, but they're noisy. Now, there's two real positives here. Number one is Caleb Williams wanted an offensive coach. And I think generationally, age wise, Caleb Williams was saying without saying it out loud, I kind of like this Ben Johnson guy. Here's Caleb Williams a week ago. Selfishly, I want an office of minded.

Joel Klatt (5:04)

Guy so I can build with him and, you know, be with, be with that coach for the next 19, 17, 15 years.

Colin Cowherd (5:15)

Yeah. So there you go. Ben Johnson is smart, he's clever, he takes risks. He just watched an organization get built up and smart people by proximity. He looked around and okay, I'm going to steal some of the things Dan Campbell did. So Caleb got an Offensive guy. And the other thing to think about is you definitely weakened Detroit is that Dan Campbell's not known as a scheme guru or a scheme wizard. He's a walk around guy. He's a culture creator. And Ben Johnson was the scheme to that stacked offensive building. Now Detroit, because the O line, Goff and the running backs, they're going to score. It's going to be a good offense for years, like Philadelphia, there's just too many good players, too good of an offensive line. Even Sirianni can't screw it up. But in the end, they won't be as clever or creative. And Ben Johnson is the reason for that. So the question becomes, is he going to be Brandon Staley? Is it going to be Adam Gase? He's got a little bit of a quirky personality. He doesn't feel like he's got that culture thing, that gravitas of McVeigh. But when Matt LaFleur got to green Bay, he was kind of quiet, kind of reticent. Wasn't a big, you know, big alpha guy. And he's developed. I think Matt LaFleur has developed into a great coach. So I don't know exactly what you get. I always root, I always root for great athletes to find their Svengali, their guru, their wizard Chicago. I'm not only hoping it happens, I think we could all say a little prayer that it happens. This is an organization that cannot get quarterback right. I mean, can't get it right at all. They've never had a quarterback throw for over 30 touchdowns. And even if Ben Johnson works, even if he works, because Matt Nagy, by and large worked, he left with a winning record. Even if he works, will he be as good as Matt LaFleur, a top five coach? Will he be as creative as Kevin OConnell in Minnesota? Will he be able to build a culture like Dan Campbell? Even if he's successful and Matt Nagy had a winning record, this division, the brain power, the cultures in this division are something else. So I'm hoping it works. All these young quarterbacks, where you land matters. And this is a gravel road with politics and potholes. It can work. I'm just not sure if it will. All right, so you watched the game last night. Notre Dame, dignified, fighting to the end. But Ohio State clearly the better team. And you know, I was thinking about this, I've been talking about this last couple of weeks with my buddy John Middelkoff, who's on my podcast. And college football not only has a new champion in Ohio State and they were absolutely the best version of Ohio State. I've seen it a long time. But college football also has a new king and it's called the Big Ten. Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, USC are wealthy, well heeled programs. And the Big Ten is in the footprint of la, New York and Chicago. Our three biggest cities in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is full of Penn State grads. The SEC is big in Atlanta. But the game has changed now. The game now in college football is all about nil and collectives. Alabama, their athletic director came out three weeks ago. Nick Saban saw this coming years ago. He got out of there. Saban's a smart guy. He got out of there. He saw the Texas money, he saw the Michigan money. Brian Kelly lost a five star quarterback recruit to Northern Michigan. And Brian Kelly said, I'll give some of my salary. You don't have to do that at Penn State, Ohio State, usc, Oregon, with Phil Knight money, this is not just a one off. Michigan won last year, Ohio State won this year. And I'd put big money that Ohio State's going to repeat next year. Texas will be good. But Texas wasn't even part of the SEC a year ago. Remember all the SEC fans? Oh, Texas, they are now your life preserver in the nil. They got big boy money. Texas may in fact have more than anybody except Phil Knight in Oregon. And so this year it changed. We have a new king of college football and it's the Big Ten. They were 5 and 1 against the SEC this year. Notre Dame is not part of the SEC, but they were clearly better. I watched when they played Georgia. So you start looking around. College football has never looked and felt more like the NFL. And we know what the NFL is about. Billionaires and the money. Historically in the south stays in the South. SEC grads, they may go to New York, but a lot of them stay in the South. Big Ten grads from these enormous schools. Ohio State has 66,000 students. They, they leave. They go to the West Coast. San Francisco, Louisiana, they go to the east coast, dc, Boston, New York. And then they come back and they got money and they spend it on the teams they love. I mean, you go look at Michigan State. I have not. In the Big Ten, they're two biggest boosters. One owns the Phoenix Suns, one owns the Cleveland Cavaliers. So I think it's changed. I think the SEC looks a little more boutique and the Big Ten now feels a little more bougie. I think the SEC has gone from intimidating to kind of charming. There is a new king in college football. And it's not going away. Michigan last year, Ohio State this year. Massive universities with massive enrollments. Students flee to the coasts for high paying jobs and then they come back and give to their schools. And this is not to say that the SEC doesn't have talent and doesn't have good coaches and doesn't have that parochial tribal passion that all of us love. But it's different now. The biggest challenges for Ohio State this year were Penn State, Oregon and, and Michigan. They steamrolled Tennessee, steamrolled them. In Texas, the big dog now in the sec, they weren't, they didn't look, they didn't look as good as Ohio State. And Ohio State's two best players are coming back and they will be the two best players in my opinion. Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs will be the two best players easily in college football next year. And I mean, and I talked to an NFL GM this week, he said if those guys were eligible for the draft today and one's a freshman, Jeremiah Smith, he goes, they may go one and two. This is not just about Ohio State. The Big Ten officially is the big dog in college football. Hey, the sec, it was a nice run. I mean, you still go beat up on the mountain west of the Big 12. Okay, I was just being obnoxious there. I admit, I was being a little obnoxious. And the SEC is still great. I'm not saying that, but the last two years you've watched the same games I've watched. Ohio State has better players. Michigan last year had better players. Penn State, now they lose a defensive end and a tight end. They're bringing almost everybody back, including a guy that will be a quarterback that gets drafted high next year. Washington in a rebuild. USC in a rebuild. Michigan not going to look like Michigan this year. Much better. It's all changed. It's a collective. It's the nil. It's more like the NFL. Here's Ryan Day after the big win.

Joel Klatt (13:03)

I just can't say enough about our guys.

Colin Cowherd (13:07)

And you know what they've overcome to.

Joel Klatt (13:09)

Get to this point. They now have something to show for it. The number one goal is to win.

Colin Cowherd (13:13)

You know, that's where it started for.

Joel Klatt (13:15)

On offense, defense and special teams find a way to win the game. And that's what we did here in the playoffs. And now the stories of these guys will be told because they've cemented themselves in Ohio State history.

Colin Cowherd (13:27)

And you know what I love, once you come to terms with sports, isn't perfect. What I love about college Football this year is that Ohio State was allowed to make mistakes just like the NFL was allowed to lose a late season home game. Is that not everybody grows at the same speed. This Ohio State team had to get punched in the forehead by Michigan at home to really galvanize the locker room and become a force that, that looked like they were somewhere between college and pro. I mean, Notre Dame is a really good defense and there were times they felt helpless last night. So listen, everybody has their run. LeBron used to dominate the NBA. So did Michael, so did the SEC. This idea though, a. This is just a couple. This is just a blip on the radar. No, it's not. No, it is not. J. Mac. Well, the good news is our network's got a relationship with the Big Ten. So, like, we're in the winning camp. Look at you doling out jabs early in the show, just prodding. Well, I mean, listen, you know what, right? You're not wrong. We're watching the same games. I watched, I watched the last couple years I've watched these games. And Michigan last year had more good NFL players. And look at the top of the draft this year. You could argue Mason Graham and Will Johnston are two of the four best players. And then there's two Colorado guys. I mean, look at the top players in college football this year. It's two Colorado guys, it's two Michigan guys. I mean, there'll be a lot of Alabama, Georgia guys taken. But you have to be honest about this. The northern universities are massive and incredibly well heeled, well capitalized organizations. And now you bring the LA market in, you bring the Seattle market in. The already have Philadelphia, you already have Chicago. It feels like it is. The tide has turned. Yes. Stuff is cyclical. I saw a report that there could be like 15 Buckeyes drafted, which could rival the number that Georgia set. The record, like Ohio State's roster is insane. Listen, so stats, here's what you should be worried about. Ohio State suffered multiple O line injuries this year. They were to the very end. You know, they were moving pieces all up and down that old line. And Will Howard's a good quarterback, but he's not like transformational. I mean, they, they, their perimeter players are frighteningly good. But this was not an Ohio State team that didn't have some holes and they still dismantled everybody. It's funny, I'm curious. This Will Howard stuff. A lot of people excited about him in the draft. Suddenly you watch a couple playoff games as they roll, people. Oh, is he a first round pick? No, no, no, no, no, no. Yeah, let's slow down. I mean, he can get drafted. Yeah, yeah, he'll be drafted. Riley Leonard Keep your eye on old Riley Leonard. Put up some good stats at garbage time last night.

Joel Klatt (16:21)

Down 31 7.

Colin Cowherd (16:22)

Yeah, listen, sometimes that's the only time you can move the ball in Ohio State's garbage time. How about him vomiting after one drive on the sideline? Oh yeah, that's what the guys do to you. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. FS1 and the iHeart Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One bank guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh really? Thanks Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See CapitalOne.com Bank Capital One NA Member FDIC Omaha Steaks is America's original butcher and has been bringing people together with the world's best steak experience for more than 100 years of family owned experience. From handcrafted steaks to hearty roasts, family style sides and quick, convenient comfort meals, Omaha Steaks delivers everything you crave to reset and relax after the holidays. And now during their end of season sale you can taste the difference and get 50% off site wide at Omaha steaks.com plus our listeners get an extra 20 bucks off with a promo code heard at checkout. Omaha Steaks offers unrivaled quality and variety and every bite is backed by their 100% guarantee. They also carry mouthwatering burgers, chicken, pork, seafood, dessert and easy to prepare comfort food. Bring home the world's best steak experience with omaha steaks. Visit omaha steaks.com for 50% off site wide during their end of season sale and for an extra 20 bucks off with a promo code heard at checkout that's 50% off@omaha steaks.com and for an extra $20 off with a promo code heard at checkout you can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile, keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (18:59)

Lately on the NPR Politics podcast, we're talking about a big question. How much can one guy change?

Joel Klatt (19:06)

They want change.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (19:07)

What will change look like for energy?

Joel Klatt (19:10)

Drill baby, Drill schools.

Colin Cowherd (19:12)

Take the Department of Education.

Joel Klatt (19:13)

Close it. Health care better and less expensive.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (19:16)

Follow coverage of a changing country.

Joel Klatt (19:19)

Promises made, promises kept.

Colin Cowherd (19:20)

We're going to keep our promises on.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (19:22)

The NPR Politics podcast. Listen on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Colin Cowherd (19:30)

Herd hierarchy time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams according to college yes, we're gonna start with eight. We've only got eight that are worthy of it. The Houston Texans. They outgained the Chiefs by 124 yards and had seven more minutes of time of possession, but they're still a young team. They were God awful on special teams. They've lost five straight to the Chiefs. Welcome to everybody's world in the afc. And they weren't very good against playoff teams two and six. I feel like they're a little bit like the Green Bay packers or the Chargers. They just need another draft. Another six players should be very proud considering where this franchise was three years ago. They're in a really, really cool spot going forward. Texans at eight, Number seven. The Rams. That defense. They're not even paying anybody yet. Watch out. They had 16 sacks in two playoff games. First team to have 10 plus players with a sack. And Jared Verse looks like it could be they have found their Lawrence Taylor. Maybe not Lawrence Taylor, but they're Lawrence Taylor. I don't know what they're gonna do with Cooper cup long term Matt Stafford. But you know what? Since joining the NFL, McVeigh is 19 and 4 in December. He does about as good a job as anybody not named Andy Reid figuring out the jigsaw puzzle of teams. Rams at seven, number six. The Lions. In the end, they just weren't good enough defensively and I think losing their coordinators when Dan Campbell's not a scheme guy could look like Philadelphia a couple years ago. They did lead the NFL in point differential and their O line and run game is just stuff for the record books. They're going to be good. Are they going to be great? Because that's what Buffalo's becoming in Kansas City has been and what Philadelphia could be. So I have Detroit at number six. Number five, the Ravens. The Ravens are the Bills two, three years ago where they'll out gain you out. Wow. Yeah. And turn the ball over I mean, listen to this. Oh, and 12 all time in the playoffs when they lose the turnover battle and they keep losing. They didn't have a punt and average seven and a half yards against the Bills and lost. This is what Buffalo did years ago until Buffalo figured out efficiency over flamboyant and fireworks. They do have the number one scoring defense. I love their coach. I love Lamar Jackson. Ravens at five, number four. I think the commanders are for real because I think Jaden Daniels, even better than Andrew Luck, is absolutely special. Led the NFL in touchdown passes with an average O line and one star receiver this year. More than Mahomes or Josh Allen or Stafford. That's insane. Highest passer rating by any quarterback. Remember last year when I picked him to make the playoffs and everybody said, well, there's too much change. And I said, yeah, they're getting rid of bad people, putting in good people. I don't care about change. If you're improving everywhere, everywhere you make change. This team, this is the worst roster Jaden Daniels is ever going to have. They got the most cap space along with New England. I think they're up top of the league next year. Near the top. So I think they're a real team. I think they can beat Philadelphia. Number three, the Eagles. Listen, they've won back to back playoff games throwing for under 125 yards. Their passing offense was 31st in the league. There's so much I like about Jalen.

Joel Klatt (22:48)

Hurts.

Colin Cowherd (22:48)

I don't love him throwing from the pocket, but I love the receivers, the O line. They're just a very special team. They do things, they do things that bad teams do. They move off coaches. They're, you know, like sometimes they're active for the sake it feels like of being active. But I mean, they almost had as many rushing yards as the Rams had passing yards. I think it's the best roster in the NFL. I think it has been for the last couple of years. Philadelphia at three. Number two, Kansas City. I mean, and again, I say this with the best coach and the best quarterback on the planet. There's not much to say, but they've, They've won an NFL record 16 straight games, including the playoffs, with one score games. Because efficiency does have at some point limitations. Like eventually the, you know, the Patriots did get knocked off and lost Super Bowls a couple of times. The one team, the New York Giants, they were out first. Listen to this. First team in NFL history to be out game by 100 yards, create no turnovers and win a playoff game. So I mean, part of me is like in awe of what they do. And then part of me is like, I think that works against everybody. Not name the Buffalo Bills number one. I think they're gonna win the Super Bowl. I think it's the best version. They're what the Ravens need to be efficient. They do not give up sacks. They don't get penalized. They don't turn it over. They can beat you with Davis or Cook, the running back. They've got two tight ends. They've got three wide receivers. I think their O line's the most underrated in the league. Maybe not Philly or Detroit, but really, really good. I think this is the year now. I don't necessarily think it's going to be the year and then another year and then another year. I don't, I don't know if that's it, but this is really. They're the Chiefs without the trophies, front office ownership, quarterback. And I thought Sean McDermott, for all the criticism we have to be fair in this business, I thought he had a great weekend from the first series on. I thought Sean McDermott had an Andy Reid like game plan. They changed in the game, saw that Baltimore was a little squirrely, didn't have zay flowers. We don't have to take big swings. Let's just be smart, convert key plays. And there is my top eight. I said before, whoever wins the AFC is winning the Super Bowl. In my opinion, that's how it's gonna work. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

Joel Klatt (25:18)

Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich.

Colin Cowherd (25:20)

Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

Joel Klatt (25:37)

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

Colin Cowherd (25:45)

And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right?

Joel Klatt (25:50)

So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say.

Colin Cowherd (25:56)

I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and.

Joel Klatt (26:02)

Rich live on Fox Sports radio and.

Colin Cowherd (26:03)

The iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast at. And of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich. Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One bank guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh really? Thanks Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capital1.com Bank Capital One NA Member FDIC. You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com Keep and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (27:19)

Lately on the NPR Politics podcast, we're talking about a big question. How much can one guy change?

Joel Klatt (27:26)

They want change.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (27:27)

What will change look like for energy?

Joel Klatt (27:30)

Drill baby, Drill schools?

Colin Cowherd (27:32)

Take the Department of Education.

Joel Klatt (27:33)

Close it. Health care better and less expensive.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (27:36)

Follow coverage of a changing country.

Colin Cowherd (27:39)

Promises made, promises kept. We're going to keep our promises on.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (27:42)

The NPR Politics podcast. Listen on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Katie Couric (27:49)

Hey everyone, it's Katie Couric. Well, the election is in the home stretch and I'm exhausted. But turns out the end is near, right in time for a new season of my podcast. Next Question. This podcast is for people like me who need a little perspective and insight. I'm bringing in some foks friends of Katie's to help me out like Ezra Klein, Van Jones, Jen Psaki, Asted Herndon. But we're also going to have some fun, even though these days fun and politics seems like an oxymoron. But we'll do that thanks to some of my friends like Samantha bee, Roy Wood Jr. And Charlemagne the God. We're going to take some viewer questions as well. I mean, isn't that what democracy is all about? Power to the podcast for the people. So whether you're obsessed with the news or just trying to figure out what's going on, this season of Next Question is for you Check out our new season of Next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Colin Cowherd (28:55)

Well, I have so much respect for what Notre Dame did last night. They just keep fighting and fighting and fighting. And Joel Klatt is now joining us, the voice of college football here at Fox Sports. So I know a lot of people look at Ohio State now. Ohio State has to rebuild their defense. We'll get to that in a second. They'll be fine. I think. Let's talk Notre Dame for a second because I said last night, if they won, I think if I was the Chicago Bears, I may have restarted my search. I mean, I do think he's got a Sean McVay quality. He's got kind of the confidence, the decency, the player connection. So let's just look at Notre Dame football because I think I look at their two deeps. Pretty good next year.

Joel Klatt (29:32)

Yes. I think Notre Dame is not going anywhere. They're going to have probably the best offensive line in the country next year.

Colin Cowherd (29:38)

Yep.

Joel Klatt (29:38)

And both backs back, Love and Price. So they're going to be able to run the football. The question is going to be quarterback and what they do, whether they go portal or they go with young guys. And that, that remains much easier to.

Colin Cowherd (29:49)

Solve today than 20 years ago.

Joel Klatt (29:50)

But Marcus Freeman, more specifically, to the way you kind of led with that, with, with that question, he has elevated Notre Dame football. I want to be very clear, Brian Kelly did an excellent job at Notre Dame because what Brian Kelly did was he raised their level from a historically good program to just a really good program in and of themselves. He was winning 10 games. He was making playoff appearances, went to a national championship game, although you could see the gap between that Bama team and Notre Dame now. Brian Kelly moves on and Marcus Freeman gets the job. Marcus Freeman has risen the level of Notre Dame from a very good program to an elite level program. They were in a one possession game in the fourth quarter of a national championship. As close as you get.

Colin Cowherd (30:32)

You watch their second, you watch their speed. Yes, they are, they are elite speed now.

Joel Klatt (30:38)

And, and I will say in the second half, you know, they played Ohio State about as well as anybody in the playoff. I mean, Ohio State was running rough, shot over Tennessee and Oregon and yeah, Texas played them well and that was a tough game. But that second half, Marcus Freeman had had a grit and toughness that can only be forged through a great culture. And he's building a great culture at Notre Dame. I will Say this after last, last night, I think Marcus Freeman, if he decides to stay there and obviously he's going to have NFL suitors, whether it's now or even in the subsequent years. If Marcus Freeman stays at Notre Dame for any length of time, I think he wins a national championship at Notre Dame.

Colin Cowherd (31:15)

I totally agree.

Joel Klatt (31:16)

I think that, I really agree. I think also Crest elite program, they.

Colin Cowherd (31:20)

Don'T want to go to the Big Ten, which is significantly better than the acc.

Joel Klatt (31:25)

Yeah.

Colin Cowherd (31:26)

So there's some wins on that program. I mean there's some baked in W's like the Big Ten. Nobody's going undefeated. I mean it's just, it's just too tough.

Joel Klatt (31:34)

Notre Dame's schedule this last year was just not that difficult. That's what made the Northern Illinois loss so shocking because after they beat Texas A and M, it's like there's not another loss on the schedule. And even with the. I don't think that the ACC is a great conference right now. I don't know their depth and so Notre Dame's in a really good position and they will be right back in the, in the thick of things next year. I'd be shocked if they're not.

Colin Cowherd (31:58)

I think they're in the best position in college football is that they don't have to play in the Big Ten or the sec. They get to play in a weak conference, but because they have a national brand, they can recruit at an elite level. Yeah, I think Notre Dame is positioned even better than Ohio State because every other year you got to go to Ann Arbor.

Joel Klatt (32:17)

Yeah.

Colin Cowherd (32:17)

And you're going to have to go to Austin and you'll go to West Seattle and it's just now. So let's pivot to Ohio State, the offense next year and the portal makes it much easier. Ohio State's going to find a quarterback. They got so many damn good receivers.

Joel Klatt (32:30)

Well, I think the quarterbacks are largely there. I just don't not to interrupt.

Colin Cowherd (32:34)

Carr, right?

Joel Klatt (32:35)

Well, no, that's Notre dame. Notre Dame. C.J. carr is going to be a freshman for, for Notre Dame, for Ohio State. Right now you've got Julian Saying, transferred from Alabama last year at this time after Nick Saban retired. He's been in the program and then he'll be in a competition with a five star recruit who's now on campus and will be practicing this spring named Tevy and St. Clair. So they're likely going to go with a young player. But here's the thing is like if we want to give the benefit of the doubt to programs like Georgia for the way that they recruit, and rightly so because of the rosters that they build. Even when they lose great players, you understand that the players behind them are also great players. Players. You made a point in the, in the last segment And I will 100% agree with this. The best offensive player in college football next year is Jeremiah Smith. The best defensive player in college football next year is Caleb Downs. Well, that's a heck of a start of a foundation if you're going to try to rebuild.

Colin Cowherd (33:27)

They also, if you will, they also have a young running back. Two guys are leaving to the pros. They have a good running back in the fold. Yes, their O line will be better next year because they had so many injuries this year.

Joel Klatt (33:38)

Yeah, the injury issue was, was huge. So the, the guys that started against Notre Dame that inter be back. So. So like for instance, this is, this will give you an example of kind of their, their line of scrimmage. Michigan against Alabama in the Rose bowl technically didn't have their starters playing defensive line on fourth down. Those were all technically reserves. Right? This is Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Derek Moore, Josiah Stewart. Well, they came back and they were quote, new starters this year on the defensive line, but it's not like they're not new starters. So something similar could be said about this Ohio State offensive line. These guys that just played a playoff. Four straight top 10 teams, four straight wins of double digits, running the football, doing all of those things. Those three are going to be back. Yeah, that's going to be a big point, I think, of strength for Ohio State going into next season.

Colin Cowherd (34:30)

Now some will push back and saying I'm being la provocateur. I do not see that. I have made the argument that the key number in College football is 66,000 because that's how many people go to Ohio State and that Big Ten students flee the Midwest for jobs on the coast. Southern kids, the weather's good. The economy in the South's been growing for a long time. They graduate SEC schools and they stay in the south. And there's nothing wrong with that. But these Big Ten kids from monster universities. 13 of the 23 biggest universities in America are Big Ten. 66,050 8070. They go out with those Big Ten degrees. They go to New York and LA and DC and Boston and LA and San Francisco and make big money and they get right back to their school. And if the collective in the nil. I mean, Bama came out, their ad and Bama's ad said, can you guys give 50 bucks like we're running out of cash. Nick Saban saw that three years ago when he complained about Texas coming into the conference. Nick saw it three years ago. Financially, it is a money game. Now I think Penn State, those graduates are all over Philadelphia and New York.

Joel Klatt (35:44)

So yes, yes, I mean, listen, you are right in a certain respect. I don't think it gives them like some substantial margin or benefit over other programs. Programs in the south can raise a lot of money.

Colin Cowherd (36:00)

No, I'm not saying that. But when Bama comes out and when Brian Kelly and I think that's a.

Joel Klatt (36:05)

Specific Alabama issue, I don't think Georgia has that issue or Texas has that issue or A and M or Tennessee, LSU does.

Colin Cowherd (36:11)

Brian Kelly said, I'll give you a million dollars of my salary. Ryan, they didn't have to do that.

Joel Klatt (36:16)

Well, I mean, listen, Ryan Day had to give up play calling duties and go and fundraise last December in order to keep his roster intact. So listen, again, I don't think you're wrong. It's the biggest, largest living alumni base in college sports is the Big Ten alumni base. And so that is, that is a big deal in this era where fans can have more of an immediate impact through their donations to nil. Now the reason I'm pausing is, is because the structure of college football moving forward will change and is changing and needs to change all of those things. In April we're largely going to have this settlement come out through the house settlement which is going to allow for revenue sharing. Well, that's going to put even more programs at a higher level with funds that they have because they can use program funds for their players. So every team in the SEC and the Big Ten is going to have roughly 18 and a half million dollars just to spend on players as essentially salary. Okay, so that's going to continue to equalize out college football. Let me just give you an example. I don't think any conference is just going to dominate from here moving forward.

Colin Cowherd (37:25)

I don't either. But I think the Big Ten moved ahead of the sec.

Joel Klatt (37:28)

Well, certainly because they have the last two champions, right? So they have the last two champions and you see the level of play at the top end. And next year the Big Ten is probably going to be even stronger than it was.

Colin Cowherd (37:37)

Oh, I think there's no question.

Joel Klatt (37:38)

So, so yes, the Big Ten is experiencing a really solid performance in terms of on the field performance and strength in particular at the, at the top end. However, when I look at college football like I did a way too early. Top 10 for. For next year. And. And that episode comes out on my show on Thursday. And doing the exercise, I was like, dang. Three years ago, Colin, I could. I could immediately write four teams at the top, and then you start scratching your head. You're like, well, who's. I don't know who's. Who's actually good. Who's not very good. The exercise was, here's the top four, and then there's everybody else. And there was quite a gap.

Colin Cowherd (38:16)

It's not like that.

Joel Klatt (38:16)

It's not like that anymore. You're going to go into next season. I have an argument, like, I'm going to put Penn State, spoiler alert. Number one in the country.

Colin Cowherd (38:24)

They're certainly top three.

Joel Klatt (38:26)

Okay. And. And largely because they're going to follow a very specific blueprint that has worked for Michigan and Ohio State in the last two years. And I can get into that, you know, later. But you could talk me into them being sixth. You can. I put Clemson at seven. You could talk me into them being 18. I'm telling you, from. From one to 18 in college football next year, it's kind of like you can talk me into or out of any one of those teams. What do you do with Michigan? What do you do with Alabama? What do you do with South Carolina and Lenore Sellers? What do you do with Florida? What do you do with LSU and Nussmeier coming back? What do you do with Ohio State trying to replace their defense? What do you do with Georgia trying to replace their quarterback?

Colin Cowherd (39:06)

What do you do with Oregon?

Joel Klatt (39:07)

What do you do with Oregon? Right. So college football is in such an amazing place right now, and I think that we're just going to continue to get kind of equalized out, driving more parity moving forward.

Colin Cowherd (39:20)

Okay. So I got to get to the bottom of this.

Joel Klatt (39:24)

Oh. So.

Colin Cowherd (39:25)

Deion Sanders, Cowboys coach, that thing disappeared.

Joel Klatt (39:30)

I told you that. I told you he's not going to Dallas.

Colin Cowherd (39:33)

Well, but with all due respect, did I not. You did, but the playmaker, Michael Irvin, said he was. You said he wasn't. I'm caught between two guys I like. Okay, so was it. Did Colorado step up and pay him more? Was he trying to. More money from the Buffs?

Joel Klatt (39:51)

I don't want to, like, step on everything because I know it's not. Nothing is finalized. Listen, is he signing his extension? I don't know that.

Colin Cowherd (39:59)

I don't know.

Joel Klatt (40:00)

He doesn't need to. He could leave his contract as is. I know that there's been extension conversations.

Colin Cowherd (40:05)

Okay.

Joel Klatt (40:06)

I know Colorado has come significantly up. I think he would like them to come up in several areas, not just his salary, but possibly assisted pool facility stuff. Commitment to nil outside of revenue sharing. So there's, there's, there's, there is talk and, and like any negotiation, whether he was going to go to Dallas or not go to Dallas or stay at Colorado or not stay at Colorado, when you're in a position like that, he's doing, and his management team is doing what he should, which is try to generate as much leverage as possible. Having conversations with Jerry Jones is leverage.

Colin Cowherd (40:37)

Yeah.

Joel Klatt (40:38)

You know, and I think from Jerry's perspective, it might be the same thing. But I will just continue to say, and I'm going to be very consistent about this, he's a great fit at Colorado because Colorado has given him the keys to the castle. Yeah, he has turned Colorado into prime. They are the prime Buffaloes. They said, hey man, our traditions, yours. Do whatever you want with our program because we need you. And because of that, he's become a great fit there and they've really embraced him. Can't do that at the NFL level just based on the structure of the NFL and some of the ownership hierarchy issues that you get with management. So I think he's in a good spot. I hope he stays and I believe that he will.

Colin Cowherd (41:15)

Okay, I have Ohio State number one next year, Texas two, Penn State three, and then the rest of the Big Ten after that. Hey, listen, that's good. All I'm saying is, you know people, this is this.

Joel Klatt (41:29)

Well, you can't stockpile talent anymore.

Colin Cowherd (41:31)

No, you, if you.

Joel Klatt (41:32)

In the sec, Alabama and Georgia used to have the best starting unit and then their backups could probably also beat your starting unit. You know, like they were too deep with a team that could win a national championship, win a conference title anywhere else.

Colin Cowherd (41:47)

Let me throw this out.

Joel Klatt (41:48)

You can't do that anymore.

Colin Cowherd (41:49)

In my lifetime, Jeremiah Smith is the most NFL capable NFL ready freshman I've ever seen.

Joel Klatt (41:56)

Oh, okay, good. I like this topic.

Colin Cowherd (41:58)

I'm dead serious. I went and looked.

Joel Klatt (42:00)

There's only one other for me. But, but continue.

Colin Cowherd (42:02)

Adrian Peterson.

Joel Klatt (42:03)

That's exactly right.

Colin Cowherd (42:04)

Okay, so I look, I went this morning, I get up early in the morning.

Joel Klatt (42:08)

You know me, hard grinding.

Colin Cowherd (42:10)

Yeah. Sit ups at like 3:40. And when I was doing that, I looked at the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals receiving cores and I'm like, no, he makes those two. He makes, he's 19. He makes every NFL roster. And outside of Minnesota and Cincinnati, I'd argue He starts for everybody.

Joel Klatt (42:34)

He's got to play two more years of college football, which means in four years, Jeremiah Smith is the best receiver in football. He's the number one on any team in the NFL. I believe he has a chance to be an all time great. He's got a chance to be one of the greatest wide receivers that we've ever seen. His combination of size, speed, he has no body fat. No body fat, body control, ability to catch the ball, his route running ability, which you saw on display last. Last night, like he's. He's the best freshman I've ever seen. And so quick story. Okay, so in 2004, I was still playing and we. Colorado, I'm the quarterback of Colorado and we go to play against Oklahoma a lifetime ago. I'm about to be 43, so I'm a man. That sounded like Mike Gundy. I almost went Mike Gundy there, but I did. Okay, so we go to play the Big 12 championship game against Oklahoma. They're number one in the BCS at the time. This is Jason White's Heisman year. I believe he was coming off of that.

Colin Cowherd (43:32)

Yeah, I remember that year.

Joel Klatt (43:33)

They had just an excellent team, excellent team. Orlando Brown is their tackle, and a freshman running back named Adrian Peterson. We played at arrowhead Stadium. It's December 3rd, whatever it is, and. And I went out for, you know, pregame warmups, and I look over and like, they're an impressive team. They're number one in the country. Dan Cody is over there. Like, they've got dudes, right? And Adrian Peterson, I was like, oh, my gosh. He's like, he's gonna kill us. What are we gonna do? I remember specifically in that game we had a smaller corner. He was probably about, I don't know, 5, 9, 185 pounds, fast, quick, you know, all this. And he's a corner. And Adrian Peterson gets this gallop going. You remember the angry gallop that he. And he starts running and he kind of bounces this ball outside in our corner. Jarrett Burrell was his name, goes up to make the hit. And I was like cringing before it happened. I was like, no, don't do it, Jared. Like, this is gonna be so bad. And he looked like the. The cartoon chicken what gets hit and the feathers go everywhere. And I'm just like, Adrian Peterson was incredible. And so that was the best football player I'd ever seen as a true freshman in my life. And then I walked out in spring football last year, and I went to see an Ohio State practice. And I said, oh my gosh, that, that kid is incredible. And every one of those players, including Ameca Abuka looked at me and I said, how good is he? And he says he's the best we've had. That's Ohio State saying that. Players at Ohio State saying that who had just seen Marvin Harrison Jr. Help me. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jackson Smith and Jigba Jameson Williams who had to transfer in order to be an all American. All first round wide receivers and every one of them, they were just like, oh yeah, he's, he's, he's the best, he is the best wide receiver I've ever seen at his age, period. He would be a top three pick in the draft now.

Colin Cowherd (45:34)

No, I had a GM tell me a week ago if Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith were available. This is a weak draft. He's like, I'm not so sure. They're not one and two. He goes, I, he goes.

Joel Klatt (45:44)

The value of Travis Hunter is going to be interesting.

Colin Cowherd (45:47)

I don't think Travis Hunters as talented as Caleb Downs. I really don't.

Joel Klatt (45:51)

Yeah, but you, you have to understand.

Colin Cowherd (45:53)

Like that whole receiver corner.

Joel Klatt (45:54)

Yeah, exactly. Well, nonsense. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. I just impact greatly the game on both sides of the football. That's nonsense.

Colin Cowherd (46:02)

Direct it. Pick a lane.

Joel Klatt (46:06)

Pick a lane. I'm just going to get back to the fact that I, I think Smith could be an all time great, all time great wide receiver. I, I truly believe he will be a 10 time All Pro whenever. And, and I know that like I don't want to put the cart before the horse. I don't want to put too much pressure on this guy.

Colin Cowherd (46:25)

Okay, so we agree with Jeremiah Smith and Adrian Peterson. Give me the just and threes. So we both agree that I would have agreed Adrian Peterson and, and Jeremiah Smith look different. Has there been another player in, in. Because I.

Joel Klatt (46:39)

In football?

Colin Cowherd (46:40)

Yeah.

Joel Klatt (46:42)

Oh man.

Colin Cowherd (46:43)

Did you ever.

Joel Klatt (46:43)

I mean there were, there have been true freshmen that have been great players, but not that looked like that, that like Maurice Coloret was a great true freshman player. Right. He was terrific. Led them to a national championship. But he didn't look like he could go dominate the NFL that year. He was just a great college player that year. Do you know, do you understand the difference? I'll tell you guys, Peterson and Smith look like they could go dominate the NFL now. Like put them in the Super Bowl.

Colin Cowherd (47:10)

I will say this. Kirby Smart has told people Brock Bowers is the most talented player he's ever had.

Joel Klatt (47:16)

Let me tell you something.

Colin Cowherd (47:17)

He was at Napa High School wine country.

Joel Klatt (47:20)

So I saw, how tough can you be from wine?

Colin Cowherd (47:22)

That's what I thought. So I looked at his high school video and I'm like, terrible league. Right? And then I watched him as a.

Joel Klatt (47:28)

Freshman at Georgia and I'm like, he was good, man.

Colin Cowherd (47:31)

I'm like, he's 18. The Raiders split him out wide and he's beating corners up the field.

Joel Klatt (47:38)

Yeah. And yet still he like, as a true freshman, Smith is the best player on the field.

Colin Cowherd (47:46)

I know.

Joel Klatt (47:46)

Period.

Colin Cowherd (47:47)

I know. It's crazy. It's.

Joel Klatt (47:48)

It's wild. It blows my mind. It really does. I think Peterson's the only, the only other 18 year old that I've ever seen. That it's gonna be like, oh, you can dominate the professional ranks right now was LeBron James. That's the category that those guys kind of fall into.

Colin Cowherd (48:00)

That's pretty good. All right. I don't mean to rub it into the sec. That's not who.

Joel Klatt (48:08)

This is so revisionist. I have sat on this couch for many years.

Colin Cowherd (48:12)

Nope.

Joel Klatt (48:12)

And I'm just going to tell you American people, I have. I have heard this whole idea that like, oh, the northern schools, it snows, it's cold. No one's ever going to go there again. It's over. Northern schools are never going to win again in their lifetime. You said that about Notre Dame. You said that about Michigan. You said that against. About Ohio State. Everything's change now. Apparently.

Colin Cowherd (48:31)

Very immature back then.

Joel Klatt (48:34)

You've grown up.

Colin Cowherd (48:35)

Grown up a lot. All right, buddy. It's great.

Joel Klatt (48:39)

It's great to see you as well.

Colin Cowherd (48:40)

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NPR Politics Podcast Host (49:37)

Lately, on the NPR Politics podcast, we're talking about a big question. How much can one guy change?

Joel Klatt (49:44)

They want change.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (49:46)

What will change look like for energy?

Joel Klatt (49:48)

Drill bit, baby Drill schools.

Colin Cowherd (49:50)

Take the Department of Education.

Joel Klatt (49:52)

Close it. Healthcare better and less expensive.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (49:55)

Follow coverage of a changing country.

Joel Klatt (49:57)

Promises made, promises kept.

NPR Politics Podcast Host (49:59)

We're gonna keep our promises on the NPR Politics Podcast. Listen on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Katie Couric (50:08)

Hey, everyone, it's Katie Couric. Well, the election is in the home stretch, right in time for a new season of my podcast, Next Question. I'm bringing in some foks friends of Katie's to help me out, like Ezra Klein, Jen Psaki, Asted Herndon. But we're also gonna have some fun thanks to some of my friends like Samantha Bee and Charlamagne Tha God. We're gonna take some viewer questions as well. I mean, isn't that what democracy is all about? Check out our new season of Next Question with me, Katie Couric, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.