The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: Hour 1 - Setting The Standard

Release Date: May 29, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Co-Host: Jason McIntyre
Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma City vs. Minnesota

The episode opens with a deep dive into the NBA playoffs, focusing on the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) and their impressive performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

• Colin Cowherd emphasizes OKC's balanced prowess: “OKC is the go-to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams around the world” (03:59).

• Discussion centers around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and Nikola Jokić, highlighting their leadership and impact:

  "SGA wants the ball, is always the aggressor and he plays Williams hard. He's got multiple great players around him, but he is clearly the alpha." – Colin Cowherd (04:10)

  "SGA is one of three guys in league history to have 30 points, five-plus assists, at least 10 times in the playoffs. The other two are MJ and LeBron. This kid is special.” – Colin Cowherd (06:00)

• Jason McIntyre concurs, noting the significant margin OKC has maintained: “They won by an average margin of 12.9 points per game” (07:30).

• The conversation underscores OKC's defensive strength, comparing it to historical teams like the Detroit Pistons, and praises their ability to disrupt even the most formidable offenses.

2. NFL Update: Cleveland Browns Quarterback Competition

Transitioning to the NFL, Colin and Jason discuss the quarterback dynamics within the Cleveland Browns.

• Colin Cowherd presents his analysis of the quarterbackography, favoring Shador Sanders over other contenders:

  “Shador Sanders should be starting. We are calling Ohio as the projected winner in a race that is not as close as the fake news projected.” – Colin Cowherd (10:00)

• Jason McIntyre adds skepticism about Colin’s stance, advocating for Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy:

  “Jalen Hurts is the best dual-threat quarterback in NFL history. He’s setting more records.” – Jason McIntyre (50:26)

• The debate highlights differing perspectives on quarterback evaluation, with Colin emphasizing team dynamics and Jason focusing on individual performance metrics.

3. College Football: Big Ten vs. SEC

The discussion shifts to college football, specifically the competitive landscape between the Big Ten and SEC.

• Colin Cowherd highlights the depth and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) benefits of Big Ten schools:

  “With all those massive student bodies, there’s a greater chance they become millionaires and successful and give back to their schools. So the NIL going forward benefits Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Phil Knight on, Oregon.” – Colin Cowherd (30:49)

• Jason McIntyre references Brian Kelly of LSU advocating for Big Ten and SEC matchups:

  “Ryan Kelly went on to say, he would love to have like a partner. The Big Ten pick someone in the SEC and they do battle every year.” – Jason McIntyre (30:33)

• The conversation underscores the strategic advantages Big Ten schools have in terms of recruiting and financial benefits from NIL deals.

4. Quarterback Performance and Team Dependencies

A significant portion of the episode critiques the reliance on quarterbacks’ performances within their team's success.

• Colin Cowherd argues that team strength often overshadows individual quarterback prowess:

  “Jalen Hurts last year with a stacked roster to me is Brock Purdy two years ago in San Francisco with a stacked roster. That doesn't make you an A plus quarterback.” – Colin Cowherd (49:34)

• Jason McIntyre counters by emphasizing the importance of elite quarterbacks in shaping team success:

  “Jalen Hurts is the best dual-threat quarterback in NFL history. He’s setting more records.” – Jason McIntyre (50:23)

• The debate highlights the ongoing tension between evaluating players based on personal statistics versus their contributions within a team's framework.

5. General Sports Insights and Commentary

Throughout the episode, Colin and Jason offer broader insights into various sports topics:

• NBA Defensive Strategies: Colin praises OKC’s defense, likening it to legendary defensive teams, and underscores the gap between star players like SGA and emerging talents like Ant.

• Player Development: Emphasis on the growth trajectory of young players, with discussions on Ant’s potential and the importance of experience and strategic playmaking.

• Historical Comparisons: References to past sports legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and how current players measure up in clutch situations.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd (03:59): “OKC is the go-to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams around the world.”

• Colin Cowherd (06:00): “SGA is one of three guys in league history to have 30 points, five-plus assists, at least 10 times in the playoffs.”

• Colin Cowherd (10:00): “Shador Sanders should be starting. We are calling Ohio as the projected winner in a race that is not as close as the fake news projected.”

• Jason McIntyre (50:23): “Jalen Hurts is the best dual-threat quarterback in NFL history. He’s setting more records.”

Conclusion

In "Hour 1 - Setting The Standard," Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide an in-depth analysis of current sports landscapes, focusing on the NBA playoffs, NFL quarterback debates, and the evolving dynamics of college football. The episode blends statistical insights with passionate opinions, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the sports world's present state and future directions.

Note: Timestamps are indicative based on the transcript and correspond to the points of discussion within the episode.