Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode Title: Ohio State Buckeyes Beat Notre Dame To Win National Championship, Big Ten Has HUGE NIL Advantage Over SEC, Bears Hire Ben Johnson
Host: Colin Cowherd
Release Date: January 21, 2025

1. Ohio State Buckeyes Secure the National Championship

Overview:
Colin Cowherd and John Middlekoff kick off the episode by celebrating the Ohio State Buckeyes' triumph over Notre Dame in securing the national championship. The hosts delve into the factors that propelled Ohio State to victory, emphasizing the team's strategic gameplay and robust offensive line.

Key Points:

• Game Breakdown: Ohio State's offensive strategy effectively countered Notre Dame's initial strong opening drive but maintained momentum to clinch the title.
• Player Performance: Quarterback Will Howard showcased exceptional accuracy and composure under pressure, leading the team with pivotal completions and strategic plays.
• Coaching Excellence: Head Coach Ryan Day's leadership was highlighted as a critical component of the Buckeyes' success, drawing parallels to Chip Kelly's pro-level game planning.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [06:30]: "Their offense is, I mean, in their offensive lines, dinged up, they just got pros everywhere. I mean, it's just, it just, I mean, Notre Dame is well coached, good defensively, cannot compete."
• John Middlekoff [08:09]: "More money, more funding, more cutting checks for these players. And not just Ohio State, I would say the Big Ten in general."

2. Big Ten's NIL Advantage Over the SEC

Overview:
The conversation shifts to the significant advantage the Big Ten Conference holds over the Southeastern Conference (SEC) concerning Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. The hosts analyze how financial resources, alumni networks, and university sizes contribute to this disparity.

Key Points:

• Financial Muscle: Big Ten universities boast affluent alumni and extensive donor bases, enabling them to offer lucrative NIL deals without resorting to grassroots fundraising efforts typical in the SEC.
• Player Retention: The robust financial incentives in the Big Ten attract top talent, ensuring that elite players remain within the conference rather than transferring to wealthier programs.
• Coaching Strategies: Coaches in the Big Ten, such as Ryan Day, effectively leverage NIL opportunities to build and sustain competitive teams, contrasting with SEC counterparts like Nick Saban who face financial constraints.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [04:48]: "There is a lot of money in the Big Ten. Those graduates make a lot of money. Because I've been in Naples for about a decade now and I'm always amazed by it."
• John Middlekoff [09:21]: "What we saw last year with Austin Gentry, I don't think we'll ever see again. Even the head coach this year said it. He's like, he turned down seven figures to stay here and all we could offer him was $300,000."

Timestamp Highlights:

• [03:45]: Discussion on Ohio State's player base and Big Ten's financial strategies.
• [09:31]: Analysis of SEC's financial struggles in competing with Big Ten's NIL offerings.
• [14:44]: Examples of Big Ten programs like Michigan and Ohio State maintaining dominance through financial advantages.

3. Chicago Bears' Strategic Hire: Ben Johnson

Overview:
Transitioning from college football, the hosts examine the Chicago Bears' recent hiring of Ben Johnson as their new offensive coordinator. They explore the implications of this decision for the Bears' performance and organizational culture.

Key Points:

• Hiring Process: Ben Johnson was initially rumored to join the Raiders but ultimately opted for the Bears, marking a significant move within the division.
• Expectations: Johnson is expected to maximize quarterback Caleb Williams' potential, bringing a pro-level offensive strategy to the team.
• Organizational Fit: Concerns are raised about the Bears' existing management structure, including General Manager Ryan Poles and President Kevin Warren, and how they align with Johnson's coaching style.
• Personality and Leadership: The hosts debate Johnson's personality traits, comparing him to other quirky coordinators like Adam Gase and Josh McDaniels, and discuss the potential challenges he may face in a demanding Chicago media environment.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [26:31]: "The Chicago job is hard. I think they should be happy they have Ben Johnson, but I said he would have been my second choice. McCarthy has dealt with Jerry, Aaron Rodgers, a meddling owner, no owner, Big Brands. McCarthy was my choice, but I know he's not sexy and I know Ben is."
• John Middlekoff [36:57]: "The problem is they entrust. You know, before it was Ted Phillips, now it's Kevin Warren. These people that play such a huge role, these guys aren't that comfortable in business."

Timestamp Highlights:

• [26:31]: Introduction and initial thoughts on Ben Johnson's hiring.
• [32:46]: Concerns regarding Johnson's personality and potential fit with the Bears.
• [38:31]: Analysis of Bears' organizational challenges and the impact on Johnson's coaching effectiveness.

4. Broader Implications for College Football and Conferences

Overview:
The discussion broadens to encompass the future landscape of college football, touching on potential conference realignments, the sustainability of current power structures, and the overall impact of NIL on the sport.

Key Points:

• Conference Realignments: Speculation arises about Notre Dame potentially joining the Big Ten and the merging of other conferences to create a more streamlined playoff system similar to the NFL.
• Sustainability of Dominance: The Big Ten's financial advantages are projected to sustain their dominance in college football, potentially eclipsing the SEC in the long term.
• NIL's Long-Term Effects: The hosts consider how NIL agreements will continue to shape recruiting, player retention, and the competitive balance across conferences.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [43:23]: "No, it's really heightened what we already knew. There's about five brands annually with a chance and we're just shifting from southern brands to northern brands."
• John Middlekoff [43:50]: "The future of college football. And you can complain all you want. Let me end it with this. So nobody wants in America. And the last thing Trump followers want is socialism. But the NFL's pretty close to it."

Timestamp Highlights:

• [43:23]: Speculation on Notre Dame's move to the Big Ten and broader conference dynamics.
• [47:02]: Commentary on the continued dominance of select teams and conferences.
• [48:06]: Final thoughts on the sustainability of Big Ten's supremacy in college football.

5. Concluding Thoughts

Overview:
Colin Cowherd and John Middlekoff wrap up the episode by reaffirming the Big Ten's rising prominence in college football and expressing optimism about Ohio State's continued success. They also touch upon the implications of coaching hires and organizational strategies in professional football.

Key Points:

• Big Ten's Future: Strong belief in Big Ten's ability to control college football's future landscape due to their financial and institutional advantages.
• Ohio State's Continued Success: Confidence that Ohio State will remain a dominant force in the upcoming decade, leveraging their NIL strategies and coaching excellence.
• Professional Football Dynamics: Reflections on how coaching hires like Ben Johnson can influence team performance and the importance of organizational alignment.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [47:08]: "But I was never trying to talk myself into parody. It doesn't exist in any business I've ever been in."
• John Middlekoff [48:35]: "They got to be in the wild card mix next year with this roster, don't you?"

Timestamp Highlights:

• [47:08]: Final arguments supporting the Big Ten's dominance.
• [48:42]: Closing remarks on the Bears' coaching hire and overall confidence in the discussed topics.

Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of the Ohio State Buckeyes' national championship victory, the Big Ten Conference's financial advantage over the SEC in the NIL era, and the Chicago Bears' strategic hiring of Ben Johnson. Through detailed discussions and insightful commentary, Colin and John explore the evolving dynamics of college and professional football, highlighting the implications of financial strategies, coaching decisions, and conference realignments on the future of the sport.

Note: The timestamps correspond to segments of the transcript where key discussions occur, enhancing the summary's alignment with the original content.