The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Cowboys Potentially a Disaster, Bears Win Total, College Football Playoff Expansion, Jon Rahm LIV Champion
Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd (John) and guest Jake Hofer break down some of the most compelling stories in sports: the Dallas Cowboys’ instability and future outlook, the Chicago Bears’ win projections with rookie QB Caleb Williams, the shifting landscape of college football with playoff expansion and NCAA penalties, and the surprising popularity of LIV Golf, where Jon Rahm repeats as champion. The episode is a mix of analysis, prediction, and Cowherd’s trademark candid opinions, covering both big-picture trends in sports and week-to-week specifics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Airline Experiences, Vegas Price Increases & Lifestyle Commentary

• Airlines: Colin shares his preference for American Airlines’ “Flagship Suite,” praising its “privacy doors, more personal storage,” and elevated comfort (04:19). He warns against flying discount airlines that cut corners, referencing a bankrupt Spirit Airlines flight nearly entering a hurricane.
• Vegas: Both hosts lament the transformation of Las Vegas from a discount destination to a luxury-priced one. Colin says, “Vegas just got way too expensive… This is higher than LA. Like, Vegas just got way too expensive.” (08:13). They explain how casinos all tried to become high-end, pricing out the regular traveler and losing their edge as a “deal destination.”
• Shift in Gambling and Entertainment: Jake reflects on the impact of legalized online sports gambling and entertainment streaming: “The Internet really hurt Vegas. I don’t think there’s any coming back for them.” (13:18).

Dallas Cowboys: Approaching Disaster?

Segment: [16:36 – 25:06]

• Colin is pessimistic about Dallas’s prospects for the upcoming season, citing a weak offensive line, lack of elite running backs, and over-dependence on Dak Prescott.
  • “I think the Cowboys are going to shit the bed week one. I think it’s going to be a disastrous season.” (16:54)
• Mike McCarthy’s record is discussed—three consecutive 12-5 seasons—but the hosts believe he lacks long-term security due to Jerry Jones' management style.
  • “If the Cowboys are awful, and I think they will be this year, I think Mike McCarthy is going to get another job in an offensive league.” (17:43)
• They critique Jerry Jones’ habit of hiring coaches “indebted to him” rather than strong independent leaders.
  • “Jerry doesn’t respect coaches…He hires coaches who will be indebted to him.” (20:41)
  • “The coaches. Jerry doesn’t respect the coaching position, and… it’s really weird, considering Jerry usually has a pretty good sense of valuations of properties.” (20:41)
• The Giants' defense is highlighted as a threat to Dallas early in the season.
  • “Say what you want about the Giants, that defensive line…could overwhelm the Cowboys.” (23:38)
• Prediction: A “dark cowboy stage” is coming.

College Football: NCAA Penalties, Playoff Expansion, and the Future

Segment: [29:44 – 56:30]

Michigan’s NCAA Sanctions & NCAA’s Dwindling Power

• Colin and Jake scoff at NCAA’s influence, especially as it penalizes Michigan for past sign-stealing and recruiting violations.
  • “I know I should be bothered, but the penalty of pay like 20, 30 million dollars, I’m fine with it.” (29:52)
  • “I do not care at all. I’m actually surprised that people still listen to the NCAA.” (31:43 - Jake)
• They note hypocrisy and the growing irrelevance of the NCAA in football:
  • “It’s not called the NCAA college football playoffs—so why are we listening [to them]?” (32:00 - Jake)
  • “We’ve just graduated to just understanding the world we live in. ...I don’t give two shits about somebody with an iPhone in the crowd.” (34:21 - Colin)

College Football Playoff Expansion

• Colin predicts major changes, possibly to a 24- or 28-team playoff, arguing for more big games.
  • “There is a lot of momentum to have like a 24 or 28-team playoff. My loyalty has always been to more big games.” (34:21)
  • “I think the perfect number is about 16. I wouldn’t be bothered by 20. I think if you get to 28, you’d have to give the top, like, four seeds [a bye]. ...I don’t want Georgia playing Liberty.” (37:03)
• Jake pushes back on expanding too far, worrying about blowouts and average teams:
  • “That, doesn’t that feel a little extreme? And we get a lot of average to below average teams in the dance in that situation.” (36:29)
• Both acknowledge the realignment and emergence of “NFL-light” super-conferences.
  • Jake: “That’s where we’re headed…two major conferences…[while others] just going to be playing…like Division 1, Double A.” (42:26)
  • Colin: “Change is inevitable...sports are going to change…Anything that’s poorly run, it will eventually get replaced or upended.” (43:14)
• Concerns about whether “middle class” programs survive, and how media deals are driven by the top 20 or so brands.
  • “USC was just, ‘We’re not carrying Washington State anymore. Screw you.’” (45:48 - Jake)
  • “Iowa football has never run the sport, has never been hugely valuable…but will always be a viable 7 to 8 win program.” (48:08 - Colin)

Notable Quotes

• “If you can pay high school football players, I don’t care. Nothing’s illegal. I don’t care.” (29:52 - Colin)
• “I just can’t get over people still listening to the NCAA. It baffles me.” (32:00 - Jake)
• “I want more quality.” (41:18 - Colin)
• “We are going to continue to merge and I think we have to acknowledge: how do we get the best games?” (41:18 - Jake)
• “The fat’s going to keep getting trimmed until we have 25 programs.” (45:48 - Jake)

Chicago Bears Win Total & New Coach Assessment

Segment: [61:08 – 67:07]

• Colin and Jake go game-by-game through the 2025 Bears schedule, debating each win/loss.
• Prediction: Jake lands at 9-8 or 10-7; Colin gets to 8-9, agrees on a likely split with Green Bay, surprises like the Giants, and some tough road matchups.
• Is 9-8 a success?
  • “1,000%. They just fired the entire coaching staff. They drafted 10th overall. They have been losing for years straight. 9 and 8 in that division...That is 1 million percent a win.” (65:03 - Jake)
  • Colin agrees, saying 8-9 or 9-8 could come down to “a fumble bouncing your way” and says “going 9 and 8 is 100% a success.” (65:40 - Colin)
• High praise for new coach Ben Johnson’s tough approach with Caleb Williams:
  • “He’s kind of a hard ass and he even talks like, ‘I’ve been hard on Caleb and he hasn’t liked it all.’ ...He’s pretty candid... It’s a tight ship. He’s got some Dan Campbell qualities which I did not expect from an offensive guy.” (66:18 - Jake)

LIV Golf: Popularity and Jon Rahm’s Repeat

Segment: [67:07 – 70:29]

• Jon Rahm wins the LIV Golf League Championship, taking home an $18 million check.
• Colin is surprised at the level of live attendance for LIV, especially in the Midwest (“50,000 seats, almost double Chicago...they doubled the tickets sold" [67:25]).
• Jake describes the atmosphere as “unlike any event. I’ve been to every baseball, basketball, football. This was very unique with the music and the vibe. If you’re a young 30 year old, you and your buddies want to go have some drinks...it’s just an easy event for a couple hours.” (68:24)
• They debate whether the team aspect of LIV works, but agree the merchandising is a home run.
  • “They are selling. Oh my God, they sell a lot of merch.” (69:45 - Colin)
  • “The merch they’re selling there is incredible.” (69:57 - Colin)
  • “It all kind of younger people just there to screw around, have a few drinks, eat a little food, watch a little golf.” (70:12 - Jake)

Memorable Quotes

• Colin on Cowboys:

  “I think the Cowboys are going to shit the bed week one. I think it’s going to be a disastrous season.” (16:54)

• Jake on the NCAA:

  “I just can’t get over people still listening to the NCAA. It baffles me, like, why does football need them at this point in time, in 2025?” (32:00)

• Colin on Change in Sports:

  “Change is inevitable...sports are going to change… Anything that’s poorly run, it will eventually get replaced or upended.” (43:14)

• Jake on Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams:

  “He’s kind of a hard ass... He’s been very candid about, like...He’s got some Dan Campbell qualities which I did not expect from an offensive guy.” (66:18)

Important Timestamps

• [04:19] – Colin on airlines & American’s Flagship Suite
• [08:13] – On Las Vegas becoming too expensive
• [16:36] – Sunday Night Food Ball: Cowboys analysis begins
• [20:41] – On Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ coaching problems
• [23:38] – Giants defense vs. Cowboys
• [29:44] – College football: NCAA penalties, Harbaugh, and NCAA irrelevance
• [34:21] – Playoff expansion prediction; NCAA’s waning power
• [42:26] – On the emergence of “NFL-light” college super-conferences
• [45:48] – Why big programs will keep trimming the “fat” in conferences
• [48:08] – On the persistent lopsidedness in college football
• [61:08] – Bears win total game-by-game predictions
• [65:03] – 9-8 as a successful season for Chicago
• [67:07] – Jon Rahm and LIV Golf’s Midwest boom

Episode Takeaways

• The Cowboys are poised for trouble this season, with coaching and depth in doubt.
• The escalating costs and luxury positioning of Las Vegas and airlines reflects shifting lifestyle trends.
• College football is entering a new era with playoff expansion, conference realignments, and the practical irrelevance of the NCAA—change is both inevitable and ongoing.
• The Bears should be thrilled to hit 9 wins in the new regime, and Ben Johnson’s toughness is already shaping the team.
• LIV Golf has tapped into a young, festival-like Midwest audience—with Jon Rahm and merch leading the charge.

Colin and Jake’s dynamic delivers engaging opinions grounded in sports history, business savvy, and current trends—making this episode a must-listen for fans tracking the seismic shifts across football and beyond.