Colin Cowherd Podcast - College Football Reaction: Does Ohio State Need A Coaching Change? USC Getting WORSE Under Lincoln Riley

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Title: Colin Cowherd Podcast - College Football Reaction: Does Ohio State Need A Coaching Change? USC Getting WORSE Under Lincoln Riley
Release Date: December 2, 2024

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd engages in a deep dive into recent developments in college football, focusing primarily on Ohio State University's coaching situation and the declining performance of the University of Southern California (USC) under Lincoln Riley. Joined by regular contributor Doug Gottlieb, the hosts dissect game outcomes, coaching strategies, recruiting dynamics, and the broader impact of media and institutional changes on top-tier football programs.

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Ohio State's Coaching Conundrum

The episode opens with a critical analysis of Ohio State's recent performance, particularly their narrow 13-10 loss to Michigan. Doug Gottlieb asserts that this game represents one of the biggest upsets in the storied rivalry's history. He emphasizes Michigan's defensive prowess, noting that despite limited passing success—"Michigan passed for 62 yards, had two picks on the road and still won" (Cowherd Podcast - 11:00)—they managed to secure victory through aggressive defense.

Gottlieb questions the effectiveness of Ohio State's head coach, Ryan Day, drawing parallels to former coach Mark Richt. He states, "I think Ryan Day is one of those guys that… he can recruit like Rick. He's a nice guy like Rick. But those Georgia teams never had an identity" (05:22). This comparison underscores concerns about Day's ability to instill a championship mentality within the team, despite his successful recruitment efforts.

Furthermore, Gottlieb critiques Day's coaching strategies, particularly his response to adversity. Referencing an incident where Day reacted defensively to Lou Holtz's criticism by saying, "Why do you care about that? Because he doesn't have a history of success" (08:30), Gottlieb suggests that Day lacks a winning formula akin to coaching legends like Nick Saban or Urban Meyer. This deficiency is highlighted by Day's inability to consistently defeat powerhouse teams like Michigan, leading to speculation about the necessity of a coaching change at Ohio State.

Media Influence and the Impact of NIL

The discussion shifts to the role of media in shaping public perception of Ohio State and Ryan Day. Gottlieb posits that media narratives often unfairly label Ohio State fans and coach Day, stating, "For a long time, there has been a media apparatus that has told everybody, Ohio State fans are lunatics" (06:10). He argues that such portrayals can undermine the program's reputation and contribute to heightened scrutiny over coaching decisions.

Additionally, Gottlieb explores how the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements and the transfer portal have introduced new challenges for recruiting and team depth. He explains, "The transfer portal and the NIL have actually created parity… the backup left tackle is 6, 2, 3, 10. He's a center. They have one really nice draftable running back" (11:45). These factors complicate the ability of elite programs like Ohio State to maintain consistent talent levels, as star players may depart for better financial opportunities or starting roles elsewhere, leaving gaps that are difficult to fill.

USC's Decline Under Lincoln Riley

Transitioning to USC, Cowherd and Gottlieb express concern over the university's deteriorating football performance under head coach Lincoln Riley. Despite a lucrative contract and high expectations, USC has seen a regression in their gameplay and overall team effectiveness. Gottlieb critiques Riley's offensive strategies, particularly his reliance on specific play-calling that fails to adapt against stronger defenses. He remarks, "Lincoln doesn't have a draftable defensive player on this team… the quarterback, they have is Hammond Egger. I mean, he either can't read the middle of the field or they don't trust him" (17:30).

The hosts also discuss the financial constraints hindering coaching changes at USC. With a $90 million contract and substantial investments in facilities, Gottlieb asserts, "They can't buy him out. They are not going to get it" (19:18). This financial immobility forces USC to endure underperforming leadership, exacerbating frustrations among fans and stakeholders.

Moreover, the conversation touches upon USC's recruiting struggles in the highly competitive Southern California region. Gottlieb notes, "You have to recruit. If you're at LSU, at Georgia, at Alabama, you know, Florida ever got good. Now Tennessee, you're all recruiting against each other" (20:05). The intense competition for top talent makes it increasingly difficult for programs like USC to secure and retain elite players, contributing to their decline.

Broader Reflections on College Football Coaching

Throughout the episode, both hosts draw comparisons between successful coaches and those they believe are underperforming. They highlight the significance of leadership styles, recruitment efficacy, and the ability to cultivate a winning culture. Gottlieb emphasizes that coaches like Nick Saban and Kirby Smart possess a "formula that works," which contrasts sharply with Ryan Day and Lincoln Riley's struggles to achieve similar success consistently.

The impact of regional recruiting advantages is also discussed, with Gottlieb pointing out that programs in dominant conferences like the SEC have an edge in talent acquisition. He states, "Why do Kirby and Nick and the guys that win in the South win? Because they nail the players in their region" (20:45). This realignment of recruiting power underscores the challenges faced by programs outside these powerhouses in maintaining competitiveness.

Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the discourse centers on the pressing question of whether Ohio State University should consider a coaching change amidst recent underperformances and consistent losses to key rivals. The analysis extends to USC's faltering performance under Lincoln Riley, highlighting systemic issues rooted in coaching strategies, financial constraints, and recruiting challenges exacerbated by the evolving landscape of college athletics.

Both hosts agree that successful programs require not only exceptional recruitment and resource allocation but also adaptive and visionary leadership. As college football continues to evolve with factors like NIL and the transfer portal reshaping team dynamics, the necessity for coaches to embody both tactical acumen and cultural stewardship becomes increasingly paramount.

Notable Quotes:

• Doug Gottlieb [05:22]: "Ryan Day is one of those guys that… he can recruit like Rick. He's a nice guy like Rick. But those Georgia teams never had an identity."

• Doug Gottlieb [08:30]: "Why do you care about that? Because he doesn't have a history of success."

• Doug Gottlieb [11:45]: "The transfer portal and the NIL have actually created parity… the backup left tackle is 6, 2, 3, 10. He's a center. They have one really nice draftable running back."

• Doug Gottlieb [17:30]: "Lincoln doesn't have a draftable defensive player on this team… the quarterback, they have is Hammond Egger. I mean, he either can't read the middle of the field or they don't trust him."

• Doug Gottlieb [19:18]: "They can't buy him out. They are not going to get it."

• Doug Gottlieb [20:05]: "You have to recruit. If you're at LSU, at Georgia, at Alabama, you know, Florida ever got good. Now Tennessee, you're all recruiting against each other."

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For listeners interested in a comprehensive analysis of current college football dynamics and the challenges facing top-tier programs, this episode offers insightful commentary and critical perspectives on coaching efficacy and program sustainability.

Transcript

[Doug Gottlieb]

This is Doug Gottlieb from All Ball with Doug Gottlieb. Listen, I'm gonna get serious for a minute. The hate in our country is getting out of control. In fact, it's sadly at an all time high. But it's gonna take all of us to stop it. I mean, we're all on the same team in this country. So let's take a break from our hate so our team can regroup. We need to take a time out against hate. Visit standuptoallhate.org to help and join me in calling for timeout against hate by following at what's up with Hate or posting the blue square emoji.

[Colin Cowherd]

Ah.

[Doug Gottlieb]

And here we have travelers in their natural habitat enjoying guaranteed 4pm checkout at fine hotels and resorts booked through Amex Travel. And they don't even see what's coming at them.

[Colin Cowherd]

We're in.

[Doug Gottlieb]

We got the table. Yep. With resi priority. Notify they're alerted when hard to get. Reservations open up.

[Colin Cowherd]

Reservation for 2mm. Save the best for last.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Thanks to AMEX Platinum, the last day vacation brings yet another experience that's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Learn [e-mail] RHYTHMICS Jon Stewart is back.

[Jon Stewart]

In the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Join late night legend Jon Stewart and the best news team for today's biggest headlines, exclusive extended interviews and more. Now this is the second term we can all get behind. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

The volume College Football Reactions presented by JLab. JLab has the best audio products in the game. They're ready to take care of you this football season. Traveling to watch your favorite team or just streaming the game at home. Find the blue box at Walmart, Target, Best Buy or go to jlab.com love their stuff. The blue box. Let's go to Michigan 13, Ohio State 10. We we have to talk about a couple of college football situations. So I did not think, I think this is the biggest in the history of this rivalry. It's got to be the biggest upset. Michigan passed for 62 yards, had two picks on the road and still won. I mean Michigan hasn't thrown the ball. Michigan's a very easy team to defend. They can't pass. You can be hyper aggressive. So I thought, I thought one of the things I compared today in my car, I did a little thing on Twitter. I compared Ryan Day, the Ohio State coach, I wouldn't fire him, but there's a clear hole. He's Mark Richt. So Mark Richt had been a quarterback coach like Day was an offensive coordinator like Day, and then got a blue blood job. And I always felt when watching Georgia under Mark Richt, he had several top 10 finishes, but in the big games, you never felt they got the most out of the roster. And that's exactly how I feel about Ryan Day, is that he can recruit like Rick. He's a nice guy like Rick. But those Georgia teams never had an identity. They just had really good players. Even when they had, like, I think Matt Stafford, he had, like, he would have. They would, they would have moments, and you'd be like, oh, my, this team's the best in the country. And they won a lot of big games. He won three out of four games. He coaches, and Ryan Day wins five out of six games. He coach coaches, but they have no identity. And I thought that game. Here's my take. So Ryan Day is one of those guys that, you know, Urban Meyer, he went to Bowling Green, he went to Utah, he went to Florida. By the time he gets to Ohio State, he has got a lot of confidence. His shit works. Jim Harbaugh, my shit works, right. Ryan Day, what does he fall back on? So remember when he got really defensive, when old Lou Holtz took a shot at him and they won a game in the post game? He takes a shot at rickety old Lou Holtz and I'm like, wait a minute. Why do you care about that? Because he doesn't have a history of success. Mark Richt didn't either. Is that when you, you know, Saban, Michigan State, lsu, Alabama, NFL people can take shots at you? You have a formula that works. Ryan Day doesn't have a formula that works. He's 2 and 4 in Bulls. He can't beat Michigan now four years in a row. And I thought the game plan was fascinating. John. He was trying to prove how tough Ohio State was in the first half. Say, bro, you have major matchup advantages at wide receiver. He wanted to prove, hey, people say we're not. This, this game's always decided by rushing yards. I'm going to prove. I'm going to blow this whole. I can't coach tough football teams because he got very defensive with Lou Holtz questioning that. And this is Ryan Day, and we'll get into Lincoln Riley in a second. He's a little lost. When you start worrying about voices outside the building and narratives, and it Starts changing your game plan. Their first half game plan was embarrassing. Like, what, what was it he was trying to prove? We can win tough. Just win the damn game.

[Doug Gottlieb]

You know, I've had this theory with politics for a while that sometimes the media is detrimental to candidates and a certain party. And I think, you know, CNN and msnbc, right, are in the headlines a lot, a lot. That no one's watching them anymore. They're losing a lot of viewership, but their clips go viral. And I'm on a million text chains that see them constantly. And they're constantly lecturing people that whether it was Biden's cognitive ability or that Kamala was a great candidate, and eventually the people are like, yeah, just come on, right? Pump the bricks. And I think for a long time there has been a media apparatus that has told everybody, you Ohio State fans are lunatics. Get lectured them that they're lunatics and this guy is X, look at his record. And it's like, guys, most human beings now over 30 years old, have been alive long enough to see Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Kirby smart dabo. Like, they know what a really good coach looks like. They also know that the Big Ten beside a team or two every once in a while is not very good anymore. Most of these teams, like beating Nebraska and beating Minnesota, when you're at Ohio State and you have unlimited resources, is not that impressive. So you are basically paid to beat Penn State, Michigan and the other top teams that you play, whether it's Notre Dame or whoever you play in the playoffs and stuff. That's it. Like no. 1, you get no credit for beating the shit out of Minnesota, Nebraska, whoever, you better win those games, but no one cares. It's like James Harden scoring 50 against Sacramento Kings in January. Like, I'm sorry, no one puts any stock into that after a while. And I think everyone getting lectured constantly about Ryan Day. Ryan Day, it's like, guys, we've. We've seen him in these big games and it's. Something's off, right? Something's off. And in this game specifically, right, the last couple years, Harbaugh has had a team that was elite. So you get beat. It happens. Kirby Smarts lost.

[Colin Cowherd]

Last year, Michigan had better players than Ohio state.

[Doug Gottlieb]

They had 17 guys drafting or whatever. This year you, like, I've. We've all seen crazy games in College. We've seen 20 plus years of insane. That to me, obviously we've seen bigger outcomes like Vince Young, that was a national championship game, right? Or even Ohio State lost or Won national championship in a regular season game. I think that's one of the craziest outcomes I've ever seen in my entire life. I was shocked start to finish because not, not a person in the world, especially a Michigan fan, would have bet on Michigan. And as the game was going, you kept thinking to yourself, this can't be happening. But he tried to get into a heavyweight fight with the one thing Michigan can do. And Chip deserves blame to run it up the middle. It's like they're two good players with the defensive tackles. You have three NFL guys. But I keep thinking that after the game and everyone's shitting on Ryan Day, it's like, well, they've been lectured for five years that he's a great coach. And it's like I'm just waiting for him to beat another. Like, we don't care that he's beaten James Franklin now four straight times. Like you can't beat Michigan, which in this program clearly is borderline the equivalent of like the national title game at this point. And he loses against the other good teams when he plays them in big spots. So you're watching him and you go, the cockiness, the third base comment. Most guys that get those jobs. Jim Harbaugh, to get the Michigan job, had to coach at San Diego, Stanford and then win at the 49ers. You know, this guy had never been a head coach and he got the job and handed to him by one of the greatest coaches of his era. So Ohio State fans literally know what it looks like with Urban Meyer. And you go, well, we're not that physical. We have this pass. And here's. I was thinking about this too, because I've been critical of this guy for a long time. And Sarkeesian has got Texas in the SEC championship year one. And I'm watching him last night and I went to watch him live. Sark takes his offensive guy like Ryan Day, well. He's also the play caller. So half the game is his baby, right? And the program's his baby. But the play calling, well, Ryan Day is like turned into the CEO even though he's this offensive minded guy. He has to hire Chip Kelly. And you're watching my offense just look terrible against a Michigan team. Their best corner, Will Johnson, who might be like a top five pick. It's like Travis Hunter 2.0 at corner is out. You're slicing. What are you guys doing? Like you're supposed to be an offensive mind. Get chips calling the place and then your team's not that tough. And I do think the look after the game where they plant the flag and he stands there and so it just. Listen, they're in the playoffs, so you're not going to fire them today. I don't see how this moves forward.

[Colin Cowherd]

I.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Because I, I think it's very possible that this type loss, they could just lose immediately in the playoffs, depending on who they play.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Doug Gottlieb]

But I do think Ohio State fans and I, I'm an Ohio State hater, but if I was in their shoe, I'd be tired of being lectured constantly by. And listen, I get it. Joe Klatt and all these guys. Like, Ohio State is a huge part of the business and they're awesome. I like watching them too. But like, we have to. Ryan Day, like, Kirby Smarts, the Nick Saban, like, he's not Urban Myers. He's not even remotely on their level.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, he's not.

[Doug Gottlieb]

It's not even debatable.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no. He is much closer to Mark Richt, who, you know, George is better now without Mark Richt, who's a really nice guy. But they, I mean, I had an NFL GM tell me years ago, he loved drafting Georgia guys under Mark Richt. He goes. Because they were. He goes, if you drafted a Nick Saban guy at Bama, he'd already squeezed all the juice out of the player.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

He goes, these Georgia guys, like, they still had two gears of shifting, you know, like they, you were always like, oh, they're way than you think. The other thing is that the transfer portal and the NIL have actually created parity. And I was talking with a guy today who's a. He runs a message board for Ohio State. And I said, you know, you used to be able to years ago when you had 125 scholarships in the John McKay era for USC. You'd take like four running backs in the west coast just to hog them, even if you didn't play them. And then we got down to 85 scholarships and you can still do a little bit of that. Nick Saban can do it. Kirby Smart. Well, now a backup left tackle at, let's say, Ohio State. Louisville comes in and says, we'll pay you $300,000. You're a starter for us or a right tackle in Ohio State. Well, you want to be a left tackle and show the scouts that, you know, whoever's got money, whatever team, Texas A and M could say, come here, start at left tackle so there's less depth. And then an Ohio State could lose an elite offensive tackle where it's always Been my whole life. The top programs have two or they have backups that would start except for there's a first round guy in front of them. Well, that guy now just goes and plays at a lesser program gone. And so if you have an injury, so let's say you're Georgia and you lose, you know, Brock Bowers and then a tight end gets hurt and the other tight end who you had, he got purchased by Wake Forest or somebody or Oregon. Well, now you're. Now your tight end's no better than the guy at Purdue. So these teams like Alabama and Georgia and Ohio State, if they have a key O line injury or a linebacker injury, they don't have great backups. Those guys have been purchased in the nil to go to lesser programs. And I mean, I know a program that was, I mean Washington, I mean they were in the Harbaugh, Michigan teams. They were like, okay, who's not starting that we recruited. Who's a five star guy who's behind a, you know, a sophomore who's got two more years there. That's the game.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Now I think Ohio State, though, if you look at this off season, you know, it's well reported they spent 20 million. Yeah, I think these numbers, yeah, could be 25, could be 18, could be 12. You know, who knows the actual number? But they spent a lot relative and I think widely considered the most of any college football team. And they bought Ferraris. I mean, Caleb Downs would start for every NFL team immediately. He's great. You know, they bought multiple sweet players and then they signed Kansas State's quarterback who some believe was not going to be their starter anymore because the other kid that was coming up that played this year, they were going to go to him a little more dynamic and you look and you go, well, shouldn't. If you're going to buy a Ferrari and a Range Rover and not have a garage, like it was pretty risky move. You know, Cam Ward was clearly the guy. But you go, chip Kelly, Ryan Day. I bet they wouldn't really love Cam Ward little bit. You know, that's not really their type player. Especially Chip.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Doing his own thing.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Will Howard your. Or Will Howard. That's yeah. Was much more their type guy. And you watch Kyle McCord at Syracuse who just takes down Miami. He's had a pretty good year. They blamed everything on him last year. And listen, he was up and down for him. But I think sometimes in this Nil era, when you're paying people, especially quarterbacks, a lot of money, you can start doing Finger pointing. Where in the history of the sport you would just give that guy a couple years to be your starter? And maybe that one year you look back, you win the national championship the next year and you go, we live through that. Look what Harbaugh did with J.J. mcCarthy and that crew of guys. They lost that devastating game to tsu. Tcu, right. It was hard to stomach a couple of years ago. Everyone came back and they won it. Well, now in the NIL era, if you like, you're just pointing the finger. You make a couple of guys transfer, they're not good enough. You upgrade, you watch. How could you lose a game where the opposing team. If I told you at the start, how much money would you put on Ohio State if they're starting quarterback, threw for 60 yards and threw two picks, you'd be like, I bet they win the game 40 to 10.

[Colin Cowherd]

I thought I predicted kill them. I thought it was going to be. I honestly thought 38, 13 would be close. I thought it was going to be a blowout.

[Doug Gottlieb]

You just can't, you just can't fake toughness. And I've been around these coaches long enough and know these guys in these NFL teams and these programs, some guys have it and some guys don't, and a small percentage truly have it, like Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, it's not about like your size or your coach, but you're like everyone when you walk into the room, they kind of their, their shoulders. Kirby clearly has it right. It's a small percentage of guys. And Ryan, he's not bad, like, but he was also handed, I think, the best program in the country with unlimited resources and will do whatever he wants. And they are regressing four straight times in Michigan. I think he's a loss. We'll see who they end up playing in the first round. Let's just say they play Tennessee.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's what I thought.

[Doug Gottlieb]

They play a team like, and they lose. I mean, you. Now, who are they going to hire? Like, that's. Mike Vrabel's not coming to college football in this era, right? So it's like, who, you know, do you hire the Iowa State coach? There's no, It's. You might just get the same thing. Like, you're probably not getting Nick Saban or Urban Meyer, you know, the Verge, the next version of that. So you're just. This is where they're kind of, you know, it's not that bad, but it's clearly not good enough. Because if you can't get Michigan now, like, you just Beat a team that was so desperate they paid a kid 12, $15 million to be their quarterback who's 17 years old. That's the team you just lost to.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right, I want to finish up usc, Notre Dame. By the way, Marcus Freeman, the coach for Notre Dame, Peter Schrager, is reporting this, and this is the second person I've heard it from. Marcus Freeman. The Chicago Bears are interested culture builder, so just throw that out there. That's being talked about in NFL circles. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, would you.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Leave Notre Dame making $10 million a year to the Bears?

[Colin Cowherd]

No.

[Doug Gottlieb]

If you had to answer to Kevin Wilson, absolutely not. I would not either.

[Colin Cowherd]

No. But it's interesting. They can't get rid of Lincoln Riley. He had his contract turned over. So it's nine years, 90 million left. They just put 300 million into the facilities. Their collective's up to 18 million. So it's not a money. Their collective is now up to $18 million. I was told by an agent yesterday that's not it, but it's. So they're not going to get rid of Lincoln. They're not going to do it. USC is not going to buy him out. It's not the sec. And his best talent is young. And their defensive line talent they've recruited the last two years is much better, blah, blah, blah. But this goes back to the Ryan Day thing. So he was handed an Oklahoma program and the culture was set. And he was very clever. He was a better offensive guy than Stoops. So he goes to USC and he doesn't really have to build a culture because Caleb Williams is so much better than everybody else in the conference. And they win 11 games, should have beaten two lanes, should have 112 the following year. About halfway through, you're like, wow, they have to replace the defensive staff. He deserves credit for that. But if you. I believe, and somebody said this to me, they said he's getting. Why isn't he replacing offensive coaches? They have one good, not great offensive tackle in the program three years in. The backup left tackle is 6, 2, 3, 10. He's a center. They have one really nice draftable running back. In three years, he's leaving. They don't have a draftable defensive player on this team. I think Kamari Ramsey, the safety, is draftable next year. Notre Dame's better football team should have won. It's not that. But now we're going into year four. Forget the defense, which is better but not elite. They don't have enough good offensive talent. This quarterback, they have is a Hammond Egger. I mean he either he can't read the middle of the field or they don't trust him. Everything's up the sidelines, everything's bubble screen up the sidelines. They don't throw the ball in the middle of the field. What I am hearing is he has alienated LA high school coaches. I mean their LA recruiting stinks. So USC is trapped here. They can't buy him out. He's gotten stubborn on the offensive coaching where they're just not getting outside a receiver. They still don't have good enough players. Forgettable running backs, forgettable tight ends don't have any tackles. Outside of Elijah Page, left tackle when they signed him to a 10 year deal, you thought you were getting a steal. I'm nuts. This is the first time I've really. I look at it and I'm like, wait a minute. They're getting worse every six games. From the beginning of Caleb's first year to the next six, to the beginning of year two to the last six. This team beat LSU at the end of the year, the last three years, they're not a very good football team. That is bad coaching.

[Doug Gottlieb]

If I would have told you in August that they would have one more win on December 1st than UCLA, he would have said, john, put down the drugs. I thought UCLA was going to win like two games this season. And honestly it's not like they beat the brakes off them. That game probably could have gone either way.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, the fourth quarter it was close. Yeah.

[Doug Gottlieb]

UCLA being five and seven and you being six and six, what a disaster for USC, for the Big Ten.

[Colin Cowherd]

UCLA has no money in their collective. USC has 18 million. So it's not a fair fight.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Well, let's. You know, we talked about Ryan Day. He inherits Ohio State. The recruiting mechanism was already set in place. Like what Lincoln had in Oklahoma under Bob Stoops. It was already the guys flowing there. He just had to keep it rolling. And he's done that. It's why his disasters are 10 and 2. Everyone wants to fire him. Lincoln would die for that. Lincoln had to start it from scratch. To me, if you don't nail the best players in California, obviously the transfer portal has changed classes a little bit. That's pretty embarrassing. And I get this is not the Pete heyday, but like why do Kirby and Nick and the guys that win in the south win? Because they nail the players in their region.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yes.

[Doug Gottlieb]

And there it's harder because you have to recruit. If you're at lsu, at Georgia, at Alabama, you know, Florida ever got good. Now Tennessee, you're all recruiting against each other. Like obviously Oregon has to come down to Southern California, but you still have a huge advantage and everything. The nostalgia of the Reggie Bush of what it used to be, it's just gotta be gone. If you meet someone now and young people that work for you and you know I'm around young people like a 25 year old was born in 2000, right? So that guy in the heyday of Liner and Reggie and Lindell White was 5 or 6 years old. So those guys that are now 18 years old, think about it, they were like the Clay Helton era. So this nostalgia of what used to be exists to me and you or older people, not to the people that matter the most. And if you piss off these high school coaches, like the high school coaches are the lifeblood of someone's program because they funnel you guys. I mean they're very, very important. Obviously now money changed hands. But to me, SC like Caleb Downs, whoever that the equivalent of those type players every year they should, it should be between Ohio State, USC and Texas. Like if they're not in on every. And why are Stark and Ohio State's roster so good? Because they're buying all the sweet players who are available and obviously they recruit really well. Is Lincoln going to have a top 10 recruiting class this year in the nation?

[Colin Cowherd]

Top 20, like 12, 12 to 14.

[Doug Gottlieb]

And here's the problem. Ohio State, even with Ryan Day is not going anywhere. If they keep for the next five years, they're going to win 10 or 11 games every year. Oregon clearly is going nowhere.

[Colin Cowherd]

And listen, we see what James, Jed Fish can recruit. So Jed Fish will get that puppy to nine wins fast.

[Doug Gottlieb]

And I've heard that they did not use much nil money this year because they wanted to take a deep breath. They're going to be blowing it this year. So they will be aggressive. And Penn State, we've already seen the stats over the last six years or seven years. If they would have the playoffs, they'd be in it every year. And the one thing James hangs his hat on is recruiting.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, right.

[Doug Gottlieb]

It's one thing you say James Franklin is great at recruiting, right? In game coaching, recruiting. So I. You could argue this could just. Nothing could change. You know, 6 and 6, maybe they're 8 and 4, but I don't know. They'd have to catch lightning in a bottle. I don't know if you're ever going to see the Lincoln that they bought. I think this might be the new Normal, you know, which is when you're paying that type of premium. What was that building? Was that a home game for Notre Dame?

[Colin Cowherd]

No, it was 75. That was 80 20. USC. It was a. Notre Dame was not.

[Doug Gottlieb]

An apathetic group yet. But they've got to be pretty down, right? They're headed toward apathy.

[Colin Cowherd]

The Big Ten saves them because the Nebraska's, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State travel so well. That's what really saves them. They'll have good revenue because of their collective. And let's be honest, 20,000 Big Ten fans in the winter, they're going to LA to watch that game.

[Doug Gottlieb]

To me, where you have no excuse. Like, listen, you lose Oregon, you lose Ohio State, like maybe you're not as good. You cannot be losing to the middle.

[Colin Cowherd]

Of the pack, Maryland.

[Doug Gottlieb]

And when you look at the middle of the pack in the Big Ten, what is the difference between UCLA and Rutgers and usc? Like, that's, that's what would really shake me if I was a USC fan is we're not just middle of the pack. From a talent standpoint, when I watch him play, it looks the same. It's always been my defense of the sec. It's like you just watch the SEC look different. Like, yeah, there's just more. Obviously Ohio State and Oregon have the equivalent, but the middle of the Big Ten and the middle of the sec, even if their records are the same, the talent discrepancy is obvious. And USC's did they kind of had an easy schedule this year. Did they play Ohio State?

[Colin Cowherd]

They did not play Ohio State, nor do they play Ohio State next year. So if you look at, I mean, Lincoln got a big break. He didn't get Oregon or Ohio State this year. He doesn't get Ohio State next year. So even it's funny you ask, I looked at USC schedule yesterday and they have the home in a ways. It's a really. They get Michigan at home. They get a couple of their, you know, they get a couple of their tough games at home. So they're getting, they don't have an LSU on the schedule. They play like Georgia Southern, Southwest Missouri State. They do an SEC out of conference schedule. So if you look at the schedule next year, John, it is. By Big Ten standards, it is a cakewalk.

[Doug Gottlieb]

The other thing is, and obviously football at USC is way bigger than in basketball.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Doug Gottlieb]

But Musselman kind of has a history of winning and just kind of playing the part. Right. So he's just. God, he just can shake some hands, he can put on a smile. He can play the part. Like, you don't get to be just grumpy Belichick in college. You can do that in the NFL as long as you win in college. You do have to shake hands. Donors nil. And now they're going to be comparing him to Eric Musselman, who's been winning at all these places. And then you got Lincoln, kind of ornery, scowls, not smiling. I think you ask yourself, and this is what I said from the beginning, does he even want to be there? Did he just get an offer so gigantic that no human could turn down where it's like he was already so rich he's looking at his bank account. My life, do I regret this? I think you got to say, if he could do, if he could do it over again. Is he the coach at USC right now? I think you'd have to say no, right?

[Colin Cowherd]

I still think he believes based on the recruiting, the interior defensive line recruiting the last couple years, I think he believes next year's the season, but they don't have a quarterback. They don't have an elite quarterback. So shit, who knows? John Mittelkoff, former NFL scout, as always, crushed it, buddy.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Thanks, Colin. Talk to you soon.

[Colin Cowherd]

The volume.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Join late night legend Jon Stewart and the best news team for today's biggest headline. Lines, exclusive extended interviews and more. Now, this is the second term we can all get behind. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.