The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Title: 49ers are Overusing Their Stars; USC is Right to Ditch Notre Dame
Date: December 23, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd delivers his signature blend of sharp NFL and college football analysis, focusing on the San Francisco 49ers' potential misuse of Christian McCaffrey and the controversy surrounding USC's decision to alter their longstanding football rivalry with Notre Dame. The show also touches on NFL quarterback trends, player discipline, playoff implications, and the evolving landscape of college football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. San Francisco 49ers: Overuse of Christian McCaffrey

• McCaffrey's High Workload:
  • McCaffrey had 27 touches in a blowout win, marking the seventh time this season with 27+ touches—no other NFL player has done it more than three times.
  • Cowherd emphasizes McCaffrey’s injury history and the risk involved with such heavy usage, especially late in games that are already decided.
  • "Eight of McCaffrey’s touches came in the fourth quarter. What do we do? What are we doing here? Shannon’s brilliant. What are we doing?" (09:08)
• Team Trends & Playoff Impact:
  • There is a direct correlation: After every game where McCaffrey gets 27+ touches, the 49ers are 0-4 in the following week.
  • Worries about physical and tactical sustainability heading into playoff-caliber matchups—especially when upcoming games have less rest than opponents.
• Star Injuries:
  • George Kittle is now hurt, adding to Cowherd’s concerns.
  • "If you don’t think Kittle matters... they score seven points more a game when George Kittle plays." (07:30)
• Comparisons to Other Teams:
  • Rams, Bears, Patriots are distributing running back touches more sensibly—even in blowouts.

2. Brock Purdy’s Standout Performance and System Fit

• Quarterback Evaluation:
  • Cowherd credits Purdy for his recent form, noting he finally looks healthy and “was spinning it” (03:45).
  • Acknowledges the 49ers’ system is quarterback-friendly (as with Garoppolo and Mac Jones previously), but that Purdy was especially sharp.
  • "Congrats to Brock Purdy. Best game as a pro the last two games.” (04:20)

3. USC vs. Notre Dame Controversy

• The Scheduling Debate:
  • USC wants to schedule the rivalry with Notre Dame earlier in the season, citing a grueling Big Ten schedule. Notre Dame resists.
  • Cowherd strongly defends USC’s position, using the analogy of college course loads to illustrate schedule disparities.
  • “[Notre Dame’s schedule] is pathetic. If this was your class load in college, you’d be taking home ec three times, gym class twice, and wood shop four times.” (12:04)
• Notre Dame’s “Side Deals” and Lack of Conference Affiliation:
  • ND has unique playoff access as an independent and easier scheduling, which Cowherd calls out as unfair compared to SEC or Big Ten powers.
  • “Notre Dame’s got a side deal. Notre Dame has the weakest schedule of any top 10 program.” (15:00)
• "Tradition" vs. Modern Realities:
  • Cowherd urges fans to accept change and prioritize playoff positioning over tradition.
  • “All that matters in college football today… qualify for the tournament and win the tournament for the big dog programs. That’s it—not games that used to be cool.” (16:30)
• Notable Quote:
  • “It’s like a trust fund kid saying, ‘I can’t believe you have a summer job. I’ll be in Turks and Caicos.’” (13:30)

4. Rant Against “Not a True Trojan” Lincoln Riley Criticism

• Cowherd dismisses criticism that Lincoln Riley isn’t a “real Trojan,” arguing that top programs hire the best coach available.
• “Was Pete Carroll a great Trojan before the run? Was Dan Lanning an Oregon Guy in the 70s, 80s, 90s?” (16:58)

5. Quarterback Longevity and the “Old Man” Tour

• Strong Performances by Veteran QBs:
  • Philip Rivers, Kirk Cousins, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Aaron Rodgers are cited for veteran success—showing mental acumen is paramount at QB.
  • “About 70 to 75% of this sport for quarterbacks is above the shoulders… It is how fast do you process information and… make the right decision?” (20:38)
• Advice for Young Quarterbacks:
  • Cowherd supports early-career QBs running more as they adapt to NFL speed and processing (21:32).

6. Player Discipline: DK Metcalf Incident

• Suspension Fallout:
  • DK Metcalf faces a two-game suspension and potentially losing $45 million in guarantees due to conduct detrimental, after an altercation with a Lions fan.
  • “You just can’t put yourself in that spot. I think. I hope he doesn’t lose his money. That is brutal.” (25:26)
• Steelers' History with Wide Receiver “Red Flags”:
  • List of recent WRs with off-field issues and the team’s tolerance is discussed.

7. NFL Playoff Picture and QB Cap Hits

• Salary Cap and Playoff Success:
  • Teams leading divisions generally have lower QB cap hits (16th or lower), except for Matthew Stafford.
  • “Eight of the current eight division leaders have a quarterback cap hit of 16th or lower.” (35:53)

8. Jackson Dart & the NFL’s Book on Running QBs

• Rookie/QB Analysis:
  • Young mobile quarterbacks often see early success, but once defensive coordinators “get a book” on them, production can drop.
  • Jackson Dart’s split stats: First 6 starts—dynamic, last 4—struggling as defenses adjust (41:28).
  • “Whereas these other highly mobile QBs give you a couple years before, you know, there’s a book on them. Does the NFL have a book on him? Not saying they do. Just something when I see the headline. Has he regressed? You look at the numbers, you’d say, yeah, he has.” (44:24)
• Defensive Approach Example:
  • Dan Quinn: “This quarterback, when he’s out there… he’s a running back first.” (45:15)

9. Marcus Freeman: Notre Dame’s Hot Commodity

• Freeman is highlighted as a top-tier college coach, now a candidate for NFL openings (New York Giants).
• “I think Marcus Freeman is way at the top of the list. There’s about five guys. The look, the energy, the recruiting, the smarts, the in game changing. He’s really good.” (47:10)
• Notre Dame's easier schedule may appeal to Freeman—but coaching in the NFL or a more competitive scenario could be the next step.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Eight of McCaffrey's touches came in the fourth quarter. What do we do? What are we doing here? Kyle Shanahan’s brilliant. What are we doing?" — Colin Cowherd [09:08]
• "I will make the argument that George Kittle, because of his incredible blocking ability, is the most valuable player in this league that is not a quarterback." — Colin Cowherd [07:30]
• "Notre Dame has the weakest schedule of any top 10 program. Even their toughest game. Miami’s at home… They’ll be favored in every single game. And you’re upset at USC. Give me a break." — Colin Cowherd [15:00]
• "It’s like a trust fund kid saying, 'I can’t believe you have a summer job. I’ll be in Turks and Caicos.'" — Colin Cowherd [13:30]
• "All that matters in college football today… qualify for the tournament and win the tournament for the big dog programs. That’s it — not games that used to be cool." — Colin Cowherd [16:30]
• "I love McCaffrey. There is — I know his dad. I love him. He's one of my favorite players in league history. Walter Payton’s the best back I’ve ever seen. Second is Barry Sanders. On a short list, McCaffrey’s third in my opinion." — Colin Cowherd [10:14]
• "The untold story of the Steelers is Aaron [Rodgers] wanted to win games, not buy another house." — Colin Cowherd [36:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 49ers & McCaffrey workload: 03:45 - 12:00
• George Kittle’s impact: 07:30
• USC-Notre Dame scheduling feud: 12:00 - 16:58
• Tradition vs. change in college football: 16:30
• NFL old QBs & processing: 20:23 - 21:32
• DK Metcalf suspension analysis: 24:28 - 26:41
• Steelers WR “trend” discussion: 26:41 - 28:19
• NFL cap hit & playoff link: 35:53 - 36:51
• Jackson Dart & mobile QBs: 41:28 - 46:00
• Marcus Freeman as coaching candidate: 47:10 - 49:00

Tone

Opinionated, passionate, informative, and often irreverent—characteristic of Cowherd’s direct, analytical style with plenty of humor and metaphor.

Bottom Line

Colin Cowherd raises pointed questions about coaching decisions in the NFL (particularly San Francisco’s use of its stars), challenges the “sacred cows” of college football tradition by supporting USC over Notre Dame, and provides sharp analysis on what makes teams and players succeed—or stumble—in today’s ever-evolving football landscape.