The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hour 2 - USC and Notre Dame
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: J. Mac and Nick Wright
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
**1. USC and Notre Dame Rivalry in Modern College Football
Timestamp: [04:07] - [08:33]
Colin Cowherd opens the discussion by addressing the evolving landscape of college football, particularly focusing on the historic rivalry between USC and Notre Dame. He highlights a recent analysis from the LA Times, which underscores USC's strategic shift in scheduling to enhance their playoff prospects over maintaining traditional rivalries.
Colin Cowherd: "[...] USC is choosing to take the cold, calculated route [...] Lincoln Riley is paid to get to the playoffs, not cling to tradition." ([04:09])
J. Mac emphasizes the necessity for USC to prioritize playoff odds over traditional games, arguing that embracing change is essential in the modern era.
J. Mac: "College football is now 75% a professional model and it's not going backwards." ([07:00])
Nick Wright concurs, noting that while traditions hold sentimental value, the integration of big money and AI into college sports signifies a permanent shift.
Nick Wright: "AI is going to change medicine, it's changing law... so it can change college football." ([07:30])
The panel discusses how USC's alignment with the Big Ten and the inclusion of competitive rivals like Penn State and Michigan exemplify their commitment to strengthening their playoff chances over maintaining legacy matchups.
Colin Cowherd: "USC has said we'll play the game, but on our terms, early where it's sunny." ([09:00])
**2. NBA Player Analysis: SGA and Team Dynamics
Timestamp: [08:33] - [15:26]
Transitioning to the NBA, the conversation shifts to Nikola Jokić (SGA) and his impact on the Denver Nuggets. Colin critiques the perception of SGA as less entertaining, despite his consistent performance and contribution to the team’s success.
Colin Cowherd: "SGA is not a lot of fun to watch, we hammer on him, but he is so consistently brilliant at what he does." ([09:00])
Nick Wright defends SGA, predicting he will secure his first championship and Finals MVP, while acknowledging the criticisms regarding his on-court theatrics.
Nick Wright: "I think SGA is a brilliant player and that team's going to win the championship." ([12:00])
The discussion evolves into team dynamics, particularly focusing on the New York Knicks and the potential of players like Jalen Brunson versus Halliburton. Colin expresses skepticism about Halliburton's versatility compared to Brunson’s scoring prowess.
Colin Cowherd: "Halliburton can play with anybody, but Brunson is a far better scorer." ([16:00])
Nick Wright counters by emphasizing Halliburton's defensive contributions and adaptability, though still valuing Brunson's higher ceiling and scoring ability.
Nick Wright: "Halliburton is a better defender, but Brunson is a far better scorer." ([18:00])
**3. NFL Quarterback Spotlight: Aaron Rodgers
Timestamp: [15:26] - [25:51]
The focus shifts to the NFL, where Colin and Nick debate Aaron Rodgers' legacy. Colin is critical, suggesting Rodgers may not rank in the top ten all-time quarterbacks, citing his recent performance and reluctance to play outside his comfort zone.
Colin Cowherd: "I don't think he's top 10 all time. I think he's out of it." ([21:01])
Nick Wright partially agrees but defends Rodgers' talent and contributions, debating whether recent struggles should overshadow his achievements.
Nick Wright: "I feel like there is some of that same almost mythological aspect to Aaron." ([23:00])
The conversation delves into Rodgers' statistics, leadership, and clutch performances, comparing him to legends like Dan Marino and discussing what qualities are essential for enduring greatness.
Colin Cowherd: "If Aaron retired today, he is my Dan Marino." ([20:52])
**4. WNBA Star Impact: Caitlin Clark
Timestamp: [26:15] - [31:56]
Turning to the WNBA, Colin and Nick laud Caitlin Clark's transformative impact on the league. They compare her influence to Tiger Woods in golf, suggesting she has the potential to elevate the sport's popularity and cultural relevance significantly.
Colin Cowherd: "Caitlin Clark's doing. Not being the best player, she's the best guard." ([30:39])
Nick Wright echoes this sentiment, highlighting Clark's ability to draw fans and increase merchandise sales, ultimately benefiting the entire league.
Nick Wright: "One of the biggest winners from Caitlin Clark is going to be Asia Wilson... it's all positive." ([28:56])
The duo discusses how Clark's emergence creates new rivalries and opportunities within the WNBA, fostering growth and increased visibility for women's basketball.
Colin Cowherd: "This is just the way it works. Like Conor McGregor... I don't think that diminishes what Caitlin Clark's doing." ([30:44])
**5. NBA Playoffs and Team Contenders
Timestamp: [32:56] - [46:17]
The conversation shifts back to the NBA, where Colin expresses skepticism about the Oklahoma City Thunder's potential, citing their lack of star power and defensive prowess.
Colin Cowherd: "OKC is a boring watch, I admit. They're not fun." ([43:00])
J. Mac counters by highlighting the importance of roster construction and the possibility of the Thunder capitalizing on opportunities if key players excel.
J. Mac: "Anthony Edwards, your guy face of the league. He hasn't. It's not fun." ([40:57])
They discuss the broader NBA landscape, comparing team dynamics, cultural impact, and the necessity for teams to "move the needle" both on and off the court to sustain popularity and success.
Colin Cowherd: "The NBA got $76 billion. They got what they wanted." ([44:20])
**6. Minnesota NBA Fan Reactions and Player Performance
Timestamp: [36:07] - [44:49]
Focusing on Minnesota's fanbase, the hosts discuss the frustrations surrounding player performances, particularly pointing out the overuse of the label "Free Throw Merchant" for SGA.
J. Mac: "He is a flopper. Every time he goes into the lane, he's hooking people to bring them in." ([42:08])
Colin Cowherd dismisses these criticisms, viewing the increased attention as a sign of SGA's pivotal role rather than a negative aspect.
Colin Cowherd: "I see it as a compliment." ([41:49])
They debate the cultural relevance of NBA players, emphasizing the importance of star power in driving merchandise sales and social media presence, ultimately contributing to the league's financial success.
J. Mac: "The stars, the Hollywood, the celebrity row at Madison Square Garden... makes it culturally relevant." ([45:36])
**7. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
Timestamp: [46:17] - [55:09]
As the episode draws to a close, Colin reflects on the broader implications of sports narratives and the importance of adapting to changing times to maintain relevance and success. He reiterates the significance of strategic decisions in sports management, whether in college football, the NBA, or other leagues.
Colin Cowherd: "You've got to find the right players like KD that can catch and shoot." ([16:00])
J. Mac adds that the future of sports depends on balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring that teams remain competitive while embracing modern influences.
J. Mac: "The more cool events we have that are well produced, that are championship level, the better it is for everyone." ([29:45])
The hosts conclude with a mutual appreciation for the dynamic nature of sports and the continuous evolution required to keep audiences engaged.
Colin Cowherd: "This is a boring team. OKC is not really fun." ([43:00])
Key Takeaways:
- USC's Strategic Shift: USC prioritizes playoff prospects over traditional rivalries, aligning with the modern professional model of college football.
- Nikola Jokić's Impact: SGA remains a crucial yet sometimes underappreciated player in the NBA, contributing significantly to his team's success.
- Aaron Rodgers' Legacy: Debate surrounds Rodgers' place among all-time great quarterbacks, considering his recent performances and career achievements.
- Caitlin Clark's Influence: Clark is revolutionizing the WNBA, drawing parallels to Tiger Woods' impact on golf by increasing the sport's visibility and popularity.
- NBA Team Dynamics: Discussions highlight the importance of roster construction, star power, and cultural relevance in determining a team's success and fan engagement.
- Cultural Relevance in Sports: The importance of star players in driving merchandise sales and social media presence is emphasized as a key factor for league success.
Notable Quotes:
- Colin Cowherd: "USC is choosing to take the cold, calculated route when it comes to this quandary whether to play Notre Dame or not." ([04:09])
- J. Mac: "College football is now 75% a professional model and it's not going backwards." ([07:00])
- Nick Wright: "AI is going to change medicine, it's changing law... so it can change college football." ([07:30])
- Colin Cowherd: "I don't think he's top 10 all time. I think he's out of it." ([21:01])
- Nick Wright: "I think SGA is a brilliant player and that team's going to win the championship." ([12:00])
- J. Mac: "He is a flopper. Every time he goes into the lane, he's hooking people to bring them in." ([42:08])
- Nick Wright: "One of the biggest winners from Caitlin Clark is going to be Asia Wilson... it's all positive." ([28:56])
- Colin Cowherd: "This is a boring team. OKC is not really fun." ([43:00])
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" podcast episode focused on USC and Notre Dame, intertwining broader sports analyses across college football, the NBA, the NFL, and the WNBA. The dialogue between Colin Cowherd, J. Mac, and Nick Wright offers listeners a multifaceted perspective on current sports dynamics, player evaluations, and the evolving nature of athletic competitions in today's rapidly changing landscape.