The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Colin Cowherd Podcast

Were Expectations Too High For Arch Manning? Bryce Underwood a “Generational” Talent? Rude Awakening For Bill Belichick, Miami a Title Contender?

Date: September 4, 2025
Guests: Josh Pate (The Volume), Noah (co-host)

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Colin Cowherd and college football analyst Josh Pate take a deep dive into the current state of college football’s top storylines: the immense expectations placed on Arch Manning, Bryce Underwood’s rapid rise as a generational talent, skepticism over Bill Belichick’s college transition, Miami’s resurgence as a title contender, and broader questions about culture and fit among coaching greats. Throughout, the conversation is sharp, candid, and focused on big-picture insights, with memorable comparisons, recruiting talk, and real talk about coaching dynamics in modern football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arch Manning’s Tough Debut: Overblown Expectations?

• Discussion Begins: [02:30]
• Colin’s Take: Once college athletes start making millions, scrutiny intensifies. Colin didn’t buy that Arch’s shaky opener was just jitters; the mistakes—especially the awkward rollout (!skip pass 8 yards shy!)—pointed to deeper concerns in real-time performance, not just nerves.
  • Quote: “When he first rolled out to the right and skipped that thing about 8 yards shy, that was more the nerves…It was kind of jarring, was it not?” – Colin Cowherd [03:43]
• Josh Pate’s Perspective: The expectations for Arch were never grounded in reality for Texas insiders—media did “the Heisman thing,” but Texas coaches just hoped he'd be solid as a first-year starter. It’s not his job to carry the roster; ample talent around allows him to play steady, not heroic.
  • Quote: “He’s going to be a pretty good quarterback this year. And anything above and beyond that, great. But it’s Texas. You don’t have to carry them…” – Josh Pate [05:44]

2. Bryce Underwood: A True “Generational” Talent?

• Discussion Begins: [06:40]
• First Impressions: Noah is wowed by Underwood’s high school tape and first game at Michigan—immediate, palpable star power. Colin and Josh agree he looks different from day one.
  • Quote: “My first glances at Bryce Underwood…that’s like, whoa, whoa, whoa, that is magic.” – Noah [06:40]
• Josh Pate’s Evaluation: The “G word” (generational) isn’t used lightly—Underwood genuinely earns it. Even Michigan’s lack of receivers can’t dull his impact. The Wolverines are positioned to be a portal magnet for top WRs, with 2026 pegged as their real title window.
  • Quote: “I do not throw around the G word. Okay? Generational. That one’s just different. Go watch him.” – Josh Pate [07:45]
  • “Michigan 2025 through a 2026 prism...that’s when they’re right in the national championship conversation.” – Josh Pate [09:17]

3. Bill Belichick’s “Rude Awakening” at Carolina

• Discussion Begins: [10:00]
• Colin’s Critique: Skeptical about Belichick’s fit as a college talent-acquirer, especially in the transfer portal era. NFL drafting woes extended to college evaluation; can he really compete in recruiting wars with the likes of Saban and Cristobal?
  • Quote: “Why should I trust him in the transfer portal? I didn’t like him drafting college kids.” – Colin Cowherd [10:56]
• Josh Pate’s Analysis: Most of the hype for Belichick at Carolina was based on schedule—not talent. The staff lacks experience in recruiting and portal management; expectations for major improvement are misplaced.
  • Quote: “If that’s your expectation for him, you’re in for a very rude awakening, and so is the rest of America.” – Josh Pate [12:28]
  • “They don’t know how to do it, man. And it’s no knock on them. They’ve never had to do it…College football will teach him 10 times more than he’s about to teach college football.” – Josh Pate [16:18]

4. The Unique Demands of College Coaching: Personality, Recruiting, and Fit

• Discussion Begins: [14:40]
• Salesmanship: In college, coaches must be recruiters and schemers—but seldom both. Saban, Smart, Lanning, and others have that dual skillset; Belichick’s personality, like Charlie Weis, raises doubt about sustained recruiting prowess.
  • Quote: “In pro football, you draft the player. In college football, the player selects you…These guys are salesmen.” – Noah [14:43]
  • “When you get to the higher portion of the college football pyramid…some have both.” – Josh Pate [16:39]

5. Can Kaylen DeBoer (Alabama) Succeed Saban?

• Discussion Begins: [18:00]
• Personality Fit: Concern over whether DeBoer’s laid-back style will mesh in Alabama's pressure-cooker. While competitive, he’s calmer than Saban—but inherits a stocked cupboard.
  • Quote: “He may have a different personality than Saban, but please, like anyone watching, make no mistake, when you open the hood on him is every bit as competitive.” – Josh Pate [20:15]
• Shock Loss: The Florida State loss was a wake-up call. Despite physical, intense practices, the team looked timid and unprepared on game day. The problems are many—and not quick fixes.
  • Quote: “It was so jarring…guys looked slow, guys looked timid, guys didn’t look physical, didn’t look tough. And it was so jarring because I know my eyes didn’t lie to me.” – Josh Pate [22:13]
  • “You cannot in any circumstance have what happened against Florida State.” – Josh Pate [22:47]
  • “Even if they do rebound…that Florida State game happened once. That’s in the cake. It’s baked in there.” – Josh Pate [24:42]

6. Miami: From Glamor to Grit—A Legitimate Title Contender?

• Discussion Begins: [31:20]
• Glamour Programs: USC, Texas, Miami are essential for college football’s national appeal; when Miami is good, the sport is more exciting.
  • Quote: “There’s three glamour programs in the country. USC, Texas and Miami. Doesn’t mean they’re the best, but they’re glamour programs. They’re sex appeal.” – Colin [33:23]
• Cristobal’s Build: Offensive line is Miami’s identity, with blue-chip JUCO and portal additions fortified. Focus has shifted to portal-built secondary; early signs are positive, but trust must be earned with consistency.
  • Quote: “They have built that offensive line the way that you would expect Mario Cristobal to build an offensive line.” – Josh Pate [34:36]
  • “If that secondary is even just a net neutral…there’s no limit to what we can do this year.” – Josh Pate [35:44]
• Caution: Past late-game blunders (clock management, situational inconsistencies) mean Miami must show they can deliver under pressure.
  • “It is trust but verify with Miami. But if they are back…ACC is about to have the volume turned up on it really quick.” – Josh Pate [36:56]

7. USC Under Lincoln Riley: Can Talent and Culture Coexist?

• Discussion Begins: [38:23]
• Recruiting Focus: Riley’s renewed in-state recruiting is a game-changer—locking down California talent is vital for program stability. Culture, however, remains in question.
  • Quote: “I don’t know if Lincoln Riley can create a culture. I know he can coach.” – Colin [39:09]
• Culture vs. Schematics: Riley’s record of close losses and inability to impose physical will is more concerning than his playcalling. The key litmus test? Winning cold, physical games at places like Illinois.
  • Quote: “USC last year, the five fourth quarter leads that they lost…that’s because they didn’t possess the ability to take a game.” – Josh Pate [42:06]
  • “You got to prove it. You don’t say it. You got to prove it.” – Josh Pate [43:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “College football will teach [Belichick] 10 times more than he’s about to teach college football.”
  — Josh Pate [16:20]

• “There’s three glamour programs in the country…USC, Texas and Miami. Doesn’t mean they’re the best, but they’re glamour programs.”
  — Colin Cowherd [33:23]

• “I do not throw around the G word. Okay? Generational…that one’s just different. Go watch him.”
  — Josh Pate on Bryce Underwood [07:45]

• “When you get to the higher portion of the college football pyramid…some have both.”
  — Josh Pate on coaches as sellers and schemers [16:39]

• “That Illinois game, that’s it. That’s the Hinge game.”
  — Noah on USC’s season [43:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:30] – Arch Manning: overhyped and early struggles
• [06:40] – Bryce Underwood: instant superstar
• [10:00] – Bill Belichick’s transition to Carolina
• [14:40] – Why personality and recruiting matter in college coaching
• [18:00] – Can Kaylen DeBoer succeed at Alabama after Saban?
• [31:20] – Miami, recruiting, and the “glamour program” effect
• [38:23] – USC’s cultural crossroads under Lincoln Riley
• [43:34] – The importance of “hinge games” for elite teams

Overall Tone & Takeaways

This episode blends Colin’s provocative, unsparing analysis with Josh Pate’s inside-baseball knowledge and grounded perspective. The tone is direct, insightful, and sometimes skeptical, but always rooted in real football nuance. For listeners, it’s a masterclass in not just following college football headlines, but understanding the machinery—coaching, recruiting, culture—that makes or unmakes programs.

If you want a pulse-check on the biggest storylines in college football, from stars and schemes to swagger and salesmanship, this is the perfect place to jump in.