HOUR 3 - The Herd - Vikings are solid over Steelers, Washington head coach Jedd Fisch

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: HOUR 3 – The Herd – Vikings are solid over Steelers, Washington head coach Jedd Fisch
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (with J. Mac)
Featured Guest: Washington Huskies Head Coach Jedd Fisch
Production: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Main Theme

This episode dives into critical NFL matchups for the coming weekend, particularly focusing on why Colin Cowherd favors the Vikings over the Steelers in an international game, with significant discussion about quarterback play, rosters, and coaching. The hour also features insights on the Ravens vs. Chiefs matchup, Bears vs. Raiders preview, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals, and culminates with an in-depth live interview with Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch ahead of their showdown with Ohio State. Additional analysis from Greg Cosell highlights offensive dynamics seen in both the NFL and college football.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vikings vs. Steelers: International Matchup Breakdown

(03:23-05:39)

• Cowherd explains why the Vikings are underrated and poised to beat the Steelers in an international matchup.
  • New coaching staffs and lack of preseason play make early seasons unpredictable, but by Weeks 3–5 “you become what you are.”
  • Rodgers’ strong debut with the Jets was followed by a decline as opposing teams gathered film (“Passer rating in the low 30s,” “PFF has him as the second worst graded quarterback.” – Cowherd, 04:00).
  • The Vikings, led by Brian Flores’ defense (top 6 overall; top 3 in pressures and takeaways), have the edge over a Steelers team with ongoing offensive line and run game struggles.
  • “I really like Minnesota in this game and that’s how we’ve come to the conclusion on that.” – Colin Cowherd, (05:30)

2. Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs: High Stakes, Must-Win?

(05:41-08:36)

• Rundown of two 1-2 teams in need of a spark. Lamar Jackson’s comments highlight urgency on the Ravens, while the Chiefs remain enigmatic.
  • Personnel issues, injuries, and Ravens' recent defensive lapses—particularly on the ground—spotlight concerns.
  • “Is it personnel?...Ravens are smart, they must be ahead of the curve…They don’t really have a front at all. Did you see Montgomery just running wild on them?” – J. Mac, (07:03)
  • Playoff odds drop to 13% for teams starting 1-3; historical context provided (last 1-3 Super Bowl team: 2001 Patriots).
  • Cowherd notes the AFC isn’t as dangerous or deep as previous years, suggesting Baltimore has upside, but both teams have holes.

    “I don’t think you can be a Super Bowl team and get pushed around. And I think Baltimore will be.” – Colin Cowherd, (08:19)

3. Bears vs. Raiders: Rookie Running Back Showdown

(08:36-12:03)

• A preview focusing on Ashton Genty’s immediate impact in Vegas and rookie Bears struggles on the road.
  • Ben Johnson (Bears OC) praises Genty’s physical, aggressive style (“He’s fearless, steps on the gas, plays violently.” – Ben Johnson, 09:18).
  • Genty’s production is mostly after contact due to poor run blocking (“Of his 144 rushing yards, 144 are after contact.” – Cowherd, 10:04).
  • J. Mac discusses Chicago’s “single point of failure” in Ceedee Lamb’s injury, thin run game, and an inexperienced offensive line.
  • Cowherd warns about young skill players and new coaching under road pressure.
  • “These road games in the NFL are a different ball…They just unraveled.” – Cowherd, (11:36)

4. Seahawks vs. Cardinals: Kyler Murray’s Challenge

(12:03-13:43)

• Kyler Murray reflects on Arizona’s lack of execution and the importance of consistency and confidence.
  • Murray’s stat lines vs. Seattle have been poor; with Seattle's Witherspoon returning, the game is a tough test.
  • J. Mac notes Seahawks DC Mike Macdonald’s impact (“McDonald is a really sharp guy…a Harbaugh guy.” – J. Mac, 13:20) and expects Seattle to win comfortably.

5. Interview with Jedd Fisch, Washington Huskies Head Coach

(13:47-25:01)

Building Confidence Against Ohio State

• Cowherd asks how you convince your team they belong in games where the opponent has more “NFL bodies.”
• Fisch: “Our team’s excited about this opportunity…We’re fired up…We got a lot of NFL players on our roster right now, and we’re going to go attack and be aggressive.” (14:49)

QB Damon Williams’ Emergence

• Former NFL QBs texting Cowherd: “this kid can spin it”; Fisch describes him as “elite in a lot of different capacities…He could run the ball better than any guy I’ve been around in pro or college football. He is fast, he’s electric, but he’s an incredible decision maker…16 touchdowns, one interception.” (15:39)

Defending Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith

• Fisch discusses special receivers: “One guy doesn’t really defend those guys. It takes two and it takes a mix of coverages…We got really good corners…this guy’s elite and we’re going to have to mix it up.” (17:05)
• Cites similar players he’s coached, commitment to varied coverage looks.

Recruiting for the Big Ten & Roster Building

• New conference footprint lets Washington “recruit nationally,” increasing their exposure on both coasts and Midwest. (18:31)
• Replacing 11 offensive starters: Fisch used intensive spring practice and a “Harbaugh mentality,” emphasizing hard work and football immersion for his young roster. (19:57)

Husky Stadium Home Advantage

• On Husky Stadium: “just a unique spot…of noise…we’re 8-0 at home since I’ve been here…it’s going to be rocking.” (21:05)

Howie Roseman Collaboration

• Fisch credits former college roommate/how Eagles GM Howie Roseman allocates resources: investing in the trenches, finding QBs who can both run and throw, hiring great coaches. (22:20)
  • “If you look at what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to win in the trenches and we’re trying to find that quarterback that can both run and throw and has extreme leadership.” (23:36)

Harbaugh “Secret Sauce”

• Cowherd asks if Harbaugh is the best all-around football coach. Fisch says:
  • “His genuine love for football rubs off on everybody in the room.” (24:45)

6. NFL Analytical Takeaways & Greg Cosell Insights

(30:07-34:12)

• How teams “flip the switch” at halftime; importance of A.J. Brown to the Eagles as described by Greg Cosell.
  • “If you want to really buckle up and stop the run, you can do that with bodies…what they do really well is throw outside the numbers to A.J. Brown…Brown is a really tough cover outside the numbers.” – Greg Cosell, (30:33)
• Cowherd reflects on similarities in team-building between NFL contenders and what Jedd Fisch is replicating at Washington—acquiring elite trench talent and explosive perimeter players.
• Notes on Bears development under Ben Johnson; the significance of coaching for young QBs:
  • “I think Caleb Williams looks better today than he did a month ago…By the end of this weekend, there will not be a ton of surprises.” (32:22)
• On Super Bowl bubble teams:
  • “You can’t win a Super Bowl on 13 play drives. You gotta score quickly…that’s Kansas City’s dubious concern” – Cowherd, (33:42)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On New-Look Teams Settling In:
  “As you get to week three, four and five, it’s harder to fool people. You become what you are.” – Colin Cowherd, (03:27)

• On the Vikings’ Superiority:
  “I think Minnesota’s got the best overall roster compared to these two [Vikings, Steelers].” – Colin Cowherd, (04:27)

• On the AFC Landscape:
  “I don’t think the AFC this year...is as good as it’s been in previous years. Miami, they’re not dangerous anymore. New England’s in a rebuild.” – Colin Cowherd, (08:04)

• On Ashton Genty’s Toughness:
  “He’s getting buried in the backfield 57% of the time. He’s getting hit at the line of scrimmage.” – J. Mac, (10:23)

• On Legion Field Pressure:
  “Allegiant is loud. You have a veteran coaching staff. Geno has been around the league forever...He can spin it. So I don’t like this spot for the Bears.” – Colin Cowherd, (11:36)

• On Ohio State's Star WR Jeremiah Smith:
  “He’s elite, elite, elite…One guy doesn’t really defend those guys. It takes two and it takes a mix of coverages.” – Jedd Fisch, (17:05)

• On Huskies’ Recruiting Footprint:
  “We’re able to be a little more national…Because of the fact that we could sell we’re going to be playing on the east coast, west coast, Midwest.” – Jedd Fisch, (18:31)

• On Duplicating NFL Team Building:
  “We’re trying to win in the trenches and we’re trying to find that quarterback that can both run and throw and has extreme leadership.” – Jedd Fisch, (23:36)

• On Harbaugh’s Secret Sauce:
  “His genuine love for football rubs off on everybody in the room.” – Jedd Fisch, (24:45)

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• Vikings-Steelers International Preview: 03:23–05:39
• Ravens-Chiefs High-Stakes Preview: 05:41–08:36
• Bears-Raiders Genty Focus: 08:36–12:03
• Seahawks-Cardinals/Kyler Murray: 12:03–13:43
• Jedd Fisch Interview (Washington Huskies): 13:47–25:01
• Greg Cosell on A.J. Brown: 30:33–31:00
• Greg Cosell on Caleb Williams, Bears Progress: 31:52–32:22
• Super Bowl Bubble & Chiefs/Ravens Analysis: 33:30–34:12

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Episode Tone & Style

Colin Cowherd delivers his trademark analytical, confident, and slightly irreverent takes on the NFL, with a blend of stats, coach-speak translation, and gambling angles. J. Mac adds quick-hit stats and supporting context. The interview with Jedd Fisch is engaging, candid, and infuses enthusiasm and insight into college program-building.

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A tightly packaged hour rich with NFL and college football strategy, team-building philosophies, and insights from both analyst and practitioner. Fans of both leagues will leave with clear reasons to watch the weekend’s biggest games, and a sense of how elite teams, both pro and collegiate, are built from the ground up.

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For more, catch The Herd weekdays on Fox Sports Radio and download the podcast for instant updates and analysis.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us Live every.

[Podcast Announcer/Advertiser]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Find your local station for the [e-mail].

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[Colin Cowherd]

On the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now, let's get this party started.

[Jed Fish]

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean I, I've said this now for some time is I think you can fool people in the first week or like for instance, your Detroit Lions have an all new staff. They look terrible in the first week. The jets defense, first week defense looked terrible with Aaron Glenn. When you have new staffs, nobody plays starters in the preseason. Week one now feels like an extension of the preseason. And weeks two and three, you're just trying to kind of figure your way out. But I, but I think as you get to week three, four and five, it's harder to fool people. You become what you are. So Aaron Rodgers, for instance, if you go to Week 1 against the jets, it was unbelievable. But Tomlin had been there for a while. A lot of their personnel had been there. Aaron and D.K. metcalf were the new guys. And the jets had an entirely new coaching staff. And Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 against the jets was unbelievable. Four touchdowns, no picks. He completed 73% of his throws. His passer rating was 137. Since then. Now people have film Rogers against Seattle and New England. Seattle's really good defense, New England, really good coaching staff. He struggled. 60% completion rate, passer rating in the low 30s and PFF has him as the second worst graded quarterback. And now veteran quarterbacks tend to like structure and habits. Now you're sending the old guy overseas. And what do you know the Vikings with Brian Flores. Top six defense, top three in pressures, top three in takeaways. Number four, Number four in pressures. Take it away. Number three pass defense. So this is a prime example where I think Minnesota's got the best overall roster compared to these two. I think their coaching staff is better. I think they'll travel well. I think Carson Wentz, you don't have a ton of film if you're the Steelers. How many times have you played him? There's a lot of stuff. I think the Vikings right now are an underrated team. They gave Caleb Williams fits. Vikings are undefeated in international games. I think the Steelers cannot figure out their offensive line and run game for seven years. So I really like Minnesota in this game and that's how we've come to the conclusion on that. Jed, fish around the corner first. J. Mac with the news.

[Jed Fish]

No, no, no.

[Colin Cowherd]

Turn on the news.

[J. Mac]

This is the Herd line news. Let's start with the Baltimore Ravens. Kansas City Chiefs. Huge, huge, enormous game Sunday afternoon. Ravens 1 and 2. So are the Chiefs. These teams have had their battles. Usually KC Comes out on top. Lamar Jackson knows the team needs to get it together and fast.

[Kyler Murray]

We just got to lock in on what's ahead right now. You know, just getting better in practice. Watch them on those guys. Watch ourselves. Ourselves. Just get after it. Come Sunday, last three games even. Even with the win versus Cleveland, we was. We started off slow. You know, we just gotta play how we play ball. You know, play football. Play Raven football.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. I mean, is it personnel? You know, we talked Greg Cosell hour ago said Roquan Smith, a great player, did not play particularly well. They were missing two starters. And I, and I will argue that Detroit was a bad matchup when you're missing two of your guys up front. Van Noy, Detroit's offensive lines road grading. It was. I thought it was a bad matchup. I didn't think it would look like that. But I do think the defense will give a very spirited effort. And also they go from facing the Lions and Omaron St. Brown to a battle line with no run game. So I think Kansas City, Baltimore, I take the points. I think it's low scoring.

[J. Mac]

Well, remember at the draft they went and got Malachi Starks, the kid I.

[Colin Cowherd]

Believe, out of Georgia. Yeah.

[J. Mac]

And I'm like, wait, why are you doing that? You already have Kyle Hamilton. And then we're like, oh, well, the Ravens are smart. They must be ahead of the curve. Well, they don't really have a front at all. Did you see Montgomery just running wild on them?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[J. Mac]

Like he went crazy. Josh Allen and James Cook, like, I almost wonder if they kind of bricked now. It is early. It's only been three games. However, the stat you need to know. Colin. 13% of one in three teams make the playoffs.

[Colin Cowherd]

Just 13.

[J. Mac]

And the last team to win this to make the super bowl, that started 1 and 3, 2001 Patriots. So I don't want to say you cross the loser off here from, from making the super bowl, but it's a bit of an uphill climb.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, there's a bit of a Rubicon here. I mean, you get, you do get to a point where I don't think. I didn't, you know, in the super bowl bubble, you didn't mention this. I didn't put Kansas City in it or near it. Yeah. I just, I think it's an offensive league. I think you have to be able to score points. I mean we haven't seen. Rasheed Rice is talented but because of his off field stuff banged up, we don't know what you're getting when he gets back. So I think Baltimore is the kind of team that could win multiple playoff games because they'll be super explosive. And I don't think the AFC this year, I don't think it's as good as it's been in previous years. I mean Houston was a rising team. They're not anymore. Jacksonville doesn't look to be any good by the way. Miami, they're not dangerous anymore. New England's in a rebuild mode. So I, and Cincinnati Joe Burrows hurt. So I, I do think can win playoff games, but I don't think you can be a Super bowl team and get pushed around. And I think Baltimore will be.

[J. Mac]

I'll offer an olive branch to Chiefs fans. Their two losses are to undefeated Chargers and undefeated Eagles. So maybe, hey, they're, they're not a superstar top five team, but they're probably not like the 17th best team in the league either, right? Is that fair? All right, let's move on. Colin. Next story is the Bears and Raiders this weekend. Remember at the draft Ashton Genty was really linked to Chicago, but the Raiders grabbed him sixth. So the Bears head to Vegas Sunday to take on Ashton Genti and here's Ben Johnson talking about the young stud running back.

[Ben Johnson]

He's a phenomenal player. I thought the world of him. You know, he's hard guy to bring down, compact yet powerful. You know, you better have low pad level when you're looking to tackle this guy or else he's going to lower his shoulder and run you over. He's got that mentality. He brought it with him from college. You see it through the first three games of the season so far where he's fearless, he sees a little bit of air, he steps on the gas and he plays violently. So he's a guy that we're certainly aware of and we gotta do the best that we can to bottle him up.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, if I was Chicago. This is a scary game. You play out of your mind against a very soft team. Now you go on the road, the Raiders, you know, you got an excellent veteran coaching staff, Pete Carroll, Chip Kelly, and I'll say this about Ashton Genty. There's a stat out there.

[J. Mac]

Yes.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hard to wrap your brains around of his like 144 rushing yards or something. 144 are after contact. So the reality is the offensive line is not getting a push and so he's having to do it all on his own. That's kind of what I read into that stat.

[J. Mac]

He's getting buried in the backfield 57% of the time. He's getting hit at the line of scrimmage. Now, some of that has to do with Brock Bowers being dinged up. I'm just going to again, maybe this is just a gambler and me talking. So last week we loved the Cowboys Bears over it didn't hit Colin. I'm just curious. Ceedee Lamb gets hurt first quarter, knocked out early. What if he doesn't get knocked out of that game? I think Dallas moves up and down the field and maybe that's a closer game. Maybe the Bears don't win. I think the Raiders are the side. I don't know about you again, CD Lamb. You saw that they have a single point of failure. If Lamb's down, they got nothing. Pickets ain't a one running game's non existent offensive line is I will say.

[Colin Cowherd]

I have I feel strongly about four games this week. And so tonight's the night I dig into all the numbers and really get into it. I already know four. I'm looking for a fifth but I'm, I'm with you. I think the Raiders are the side. I mean again, we're talking about Chicago's got a lot of young players on that offense. Loveland Burden, Caleb Williams. They're, they're one of their tackles. Their Roma dunze like a new off young head coach. Like these road games in the NFL are a different ball. We saw what happened in Detroit. They were overwhelmed. They just unraveled. Allegiant is loud. You have a veteran coaching staff. Gino has been around the league forever. Geno, when there isn't intense pressure on him, can let it rip. He can spin it. So I don't like this spot for the Bears.

[J. Mac]

I'm with you. Final story Colin is Seahawks Cardinals tonight. I teased it early in the show. I got some Kyler stuff for you. I'll give it to you after this soundbite. But Kyler Murray talked about the Cardinals offense without James Conner. They got to get on the same page. It's a big game for Arizona. Here's Kyler.

[Kyler Murray]

We got to be more consistent. We got to make the plays when they're there. It's really simple. Simple as that. You know, it's really not a complicated game. You got to make plays. I'm Trying to build confidence each and every day and continue to give my guys opportunities when they're, when they're there. I'm going to continue to do that. You know, obviously Drew makes the calls and then we got to go out there and execute. But whenever the opportunity presents itself for the chances are there, I'm definitely going to give my guys opportunities.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm going to tell you, they had that San Francisco game. They got a safety, they led, they had the ball at midfield, they picked up a first down. You looked up and the Niners were hitting a game winning field goal. That was one of those. You'll look back on your schedule and you'll be like, how did we lose that game? They outgamed him. They outrushed him. Arizona gave that puppy away.

[J. Mac]

Yeah, and Marvin Harrison with the drop. So Kyler in two games against Seattle last year, five carries for 25 yards in two games. Colin, he had two of his worst games of the season against him at a brutal pick six. Arizona 1 for 5 in the red zone. I'm just going to remind people and you know, this McDonald is a really sharp guy. He is a great defensive coordinator. He's a hardball guy. He was with John Harbaugh in Baltimore, Jim Harbaugh in Michigan and Drew Petzig. You know, Arizona Cardinal fans a little worried about this guy. Witherspoon is back for Seattle tonight. He's the chess piece who gets after Kyler. Seahawks went handling.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right. Buddy J. Mac with the news.

[Jed Fish]

Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the herd line news.

[Colin Cowherd]

Jet Fish for a long time he turned around an Arizona program that was absolutely lost very good personnel eye. They put a lot of guys in the league. And now he's got the Huskies. They're undefeated. They face number one Ohio State at Husky Stadium. A place I've been a few times. And Jed Fish is joining us live. It is going to be loud in Seattle. Good to see you, Jed. First of all, it is. You've been doing this a long time. Belichick, Pete Carroll, you've been McVeigh College, you've been pro in college. This is one of those games. And you, you probably had a lot of them in Arizona. You don't. You eventually won't have many at Washington. But this may be one of the games that you look at the personnel on film and go, okay, they got a lot of NFL bodies. So you go in as a home underdog. When you go into a game and you look at that film and you're like, man, they got some. They got some dudes here. How do you convince your team very early in that game we're the better team? Play with confidence, because Ohio State can shrink a lot of confidence in this sport.

[Jed Fish]

Yeah, I don't think. I don't think our team's thinking like that. I think our team's excited about this opportunity. We're playing really good football right now. We've played really good on offense, we're playing good on defense. We're taking the ball away, we're scoring points. Our guys are fired up. We got a lot of NFL players on our roster right now, and we're going to go attack and we're going to go be aggressive. And we know we got a tough challenge in front of us, but we're just excited about that opportunity.

[Colin Cowherd]

A lot of people haven't seen Damon Williams, your quarterback play. I got a text yesterday from an NFL former NFL quarterback and he's like, this kid can spin it. He goes, don't you think he'll be the second best quarterback in the field? He's like, this kid is a rising star. If I. If our audience has never seen your quarterback play, tell us about him.

[Jed Fish]

Yeah, I mean, he's elite in a lot of different capacities. He's only 19 years old. We played him last year in every game, about 10 plays. Played about 10 plays when we beat Michigan, about 10 plays against SC, UCLA, and then played the second half of the game against Penn State, Oregon, and then started against Oregon and the bowl game. He's got unbelievable skills. He can throw the ball as well as anybody I've ever been around in college football. And he could run the ball better than any guy I've been around in pro or college football. He is fast, he's electric, but he's an incredible decision maker. He's, you know, I think we've gotten, I don't know, maybe in his career, 16 touchdowns, one interception. He just takes care of the ball. He protects the ball. He understands the ball is our program, and he's an elite leader for only being a sophomore.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you're going to face Jeremiah Smith, who I said last year, probably the best freshman I've ever seen in college football. He looked like an NFL player. You know, there's two ways to go about it, all right? Bracket him, take it out. We're just going to commit to that side. But again, you're confident. Washington's always had good corners. It seems like forever you've had good corners. You know that you've coached against Them, you've coached them. When you face a guy that is that special, is there a plan of attack or, I mean, do you have to spend all afternoon on it? Because he's an unstoppable force in, you know, in individual coverage.

[Jed Fish]

Yeah, there's no question. I mean, he's elite. Elite, elite, elite, right. We had a guy like that at tmac when we were in Arizona. Who's what, the eighth overall pick? I think we have a guy like that in Denzel Boston currently on our team, where, you know, you. One guy doesn't really defend those guys. It takes two and it takes a mix of coverages. It takes all different plans. We've got really good corners. We got two six foot four corners and you know, they're, they're pretty special players, NFL talents, but this guy's elite and we're going to have to mix it up. We can't just do one thing on defense or there'll be, you know, there'll be no chance to be able to take this guy away. We got to do multiple different things, multiple different looks and always have him in our sights. But the other guy they got on the other side, Tate, is, is pretty good also. So we got a lot of work to do to be able to defend this team.

[Colin Cowherd]

I said I felt both you and Oregon would do very well in the Big Ten. You're playing, you know, sometimes windy, wet weather, I wouldn't worry about the palm trees. I said Washington and Oregon, they're going to do just fine. They're going to hold, you know, they're going to play home games and those Big Ten teams are going to come out west and find out how loud it is. Do you recruit though? Whether it's Portal or high school, you know, you're down at Arizona recruiting, Texas, heavy. Do you recruit differently knowing you have a Big Ten schedule?

[Jed Fish]

Well, we're able to be a little more national, recruiting wise, because of the fact that we could sell that we're going to be playing on the east coast, we're going to be playing in the west coast, we're going to be playing in the Midwest. You know, there's so many different areas that we'll be able to attack that people can watch them on TV or come to a game. We had three east coast games last year, we had three this year, so it's pretty cool in that regard. Unfortunately, you know, we don't know the game times all the way too early, so we can't tell them exactly what it's going to look like. To try to get them there. But we do feel like we can nationally recruit. We were in the national championship game two years ago, so people know who Washington is. They played Michigan on the big stage. We got to find a way to get back there to continue to reemphasize the type of program that we are.

[Colin Cowherd]

You had to replace, this is insane. 11 offensive starters. There's no way in your career you've ever had to do that. When, when you now, good, good thing you've got the portal, that helps a lot. But when you replace 11 starters, did you look at it and go, okay, we, we got to be ramped up here. Ohio State's coming to our place. Was it a slow process or did you think to yourself, hey, I'm just going to dump the playbook on him. You guys are 19, 20, 21. Figure it out. How have you grown with 11 new offensive starters?

[Jed Fish]

Yeah, luckily they were, they came in the spring and we were able, we're starting in this game two freshman wide receivers and a freshman guard and a 19 year old quarterback. And we're young, we're young in a lot of areas and we just felt like we needed to be able to fast forward the learning curve. And fortunately I worked for Jim Harbaugh for a couple years when we got to Michigan together and you know, at training camp, there's no need to not meet and there's no need to not practice. And we met a lot and we practiced a lot and we made football the most important thing. And when you have that hardball mentality a little bit, you just, you realize like you could just find ways, find ways to teach them football and just infuse football into their blood.

[Colin Cowherd]

When we first met, I told you I grew up with, as a Husky fan, had been to Husky Stadium and I remember exactly what you said. You're like, man, that is a get a job and stay there forever job. You had said like, that place is crazy. Has it fulfilled Husky Stadium afternoon? Is it as special as you thought it would be?

[Jed Fish]

Yeah, you know, when I, when, when we first met, I think I was 02 or 03 against UW on the road up in Husky Stadium. And the place was just uniquely, you know, just a unique spot of just noise and the stadium so beautiful and we're six to know it. Well, now we're eight no at home since, since I've been here and it's been pretty cool. The environment, the way it feels, the way it looks, you know, the fact that families can take boats over to the Games and it's so loud and it's going to be rocking tomorrow on Saturday and it's going to be noon or 12:30 kickoff, all purple. And I just told our fans and our student section man, let's just, let's make this thing elite.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, it will be. You know, you were a college roommate of Howie Roseman. Everybody knows that. And listen, I know how he's picked your brain, but my guess is you call him and pick his brain. What. And I think he's the best gym in football. What is how he taught you that you could tell our audience publicly about personnel and how he views athletes? Because I guarantee you, he's picked your brain more than once.

[Jed Fish]

Oh, yeah. I mean, we have a great, obviously, give and take relationship. And I'm constantly trying to understand, you know, how to, how to make the most of this new era where we're, you know, where we're playing with a, with a cap, how to, you know, spend your resources. I've talked to him numerous times about what type of investment you make in the trenches versus the perimeter, what type of investment you make when you re sign your quarterback. And what does that mean, hiring staff. He's an amazing, you know, you look at the guys he's hired, you know, he's been to the super bowl with Doug Peterson, he's been to the super bowl with Nick Sirianni, he's won Super Bowls with both those guys. Been to the super bowl with Andy Reid, hired Chip Kelly, you know, he's, he's just hired great coaches, hired assistant coaches. Vic Fangio is his defensive coordinator. Just constantly is in that process of finding coaches and finding players. So we talk about where do you want to invest your team? And if you look at their D line, what they've, you know, what they've decided on is they're going to win in the trenches and they're going to find a quarterback that can both run and throw. And if you look at what we're trying to do, we're trying to win in the trenches and we're trying to find that quarterback that can both run and throw and has extreme leadership. And I think we're trying to replicate that model that he has with the running back, Jonah Coleman for us, Saquon for him, with the receivers, AJ for him, and then obviously Denzel for us, and then with that offensive line of defensive line.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, well, every time the Huskies have the right coach, go back to Don James, Rick Neuheisel got to a Rose Bowl, Chris Peterson got to the playoff Ed Kaylin, DeBoer got in there. I've always said, when Washington gets the right coach, they're very good and they get it rolling. And now you have a national conference in the Big Ten. I got to ask you one question. Two quick ones. One, you've been under McVeigh, Belichick, Pete and Harbaugh. I said this. I got pushback. I said, is Harbaugh count college and pro? Is he the best football coach ever? He's taken. He's taken five messes. They're good. Instantly he leaves and they're no good again. What is. I ask everybody this that knows him. What is his secret sauce? If. If I never met him. And I said, jed, what's this mystery coach Jim Harbaugh like? What would you answer?

[Jed Fish]

His genuine love for football rubs off on everybody in the room. And I saw your take on that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Say, this kid for Washington is the real deal. I can't wait to watch it. Jed, I appreciate you giving us 10 minutes. You know I'm a huge fan.

[Jed Fish]

Yeah, thanks, Colin. I appreciate you having me.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right. The Huskies, Husky stadium. I mean, how lucky are we this weekend? I mean, you got two, three of the biggest games of the weekend. Oh, that's crazy. J. Mac and I interest you in a moneyline Husky bet?

[J. Mac]

No, but I did. I took the 10. That's long gone.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, God. Yeah. It's going to be a. Listen. Julian Sands, a kid. Ohio State sending a kid.

[J. Mac]

They haven't played like a real road game with this young quarterback.

[Colin Cowherd]

So you're right.

[J. Mac]

It could be a hostile environment between that game. I like Bama. You are on Georgia, obviously. Penn State, Oregon. There's just a lot of action this weekend. I probably can't go out drinking Friday, can you, big guy?

[Colin Cowherd]

You know what? I've. You know, I. I get home and do homework. I do analytic breakdown.

[J. Mac]

Crunching that Illinois depth chart with all those injuries liner. You know, he's on my basketball team was telling me, hey, Illinois is really banged up.

[Colin Cowherd]

They are.

[J. Mac]

I was like, oh, boy, cowherd's gonna feast when usc, maybe you open with the Trojans one day. If the. If USC puts one on Illinois, you.

[Colin Cowherd]

You frame me as some sort of homer honesty broker. Day one to the very end.

[J. Mac]

You know, I think I see. Can you tell me what T shirt you're wearing under that? It looks like the maroon from usc. Can I see that? Is it peeking out?

[Colin Cowherd]

You gotta go to break. Commercial Staticky. It's the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd.

[J. Mac]

Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on.

[Jed Fish]

Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

[Steve Covino]

Hey, it's Steve Covino and I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course on social media, that's Covino and rich.

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[Colin Cowherd]

He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too.

[Podcast Announcer/Advertiser]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Is how a team can be so bad in the first half and then get 13 minutes and then come back in the second half and they're a completely different team, dominating the excellent team that had a three touchdown lead on them. You got 13 minutes. What can you do? You're not breaking down film and Greg Cosell earlier on the AJ Brown emergence in that game in the second half half.

[Greg Cosell]

I've had coaches tell me that the most important player on the Eagles offense is A.J. brown. Because the reality is if you want to really buck up and stop the run, you can do that with bodies. What they do really well and have for a number of years is throw outside the numbers to A.J. brown. That's the strength of Jalen Hurts as a thrower. Brown is a really tough cover outside the numbers. He's so strong, he's so physical.

[Colin Cowherd]

It was interesting listening to Jed Fish talk about listen, they're going to build this team through the trenches and offense and defensive line and then have some explosive players on the perimeter. But you know the other thing that Greg Cosell talked about with Philadelphia is they throw up the sidelines very well. So whereas Jalen Hurts may struggle to see down the middle of the field at times up the sidelines, not an issue. And A.J. brown is virtually uncoverable. The other thing he talked about what both J. Mack and I feel like Bears it's a tough spot against the Raiders on the road. There's a lot of young Bears, the coach, the quarterback, one of their tackles, Roma dunz, tight ends. They're young now they go on the road for a team that's pretty desperate week for the Raiders. Here's what Co sell saw and has seen through three weeks with Caleb Williams.

[Greg Cosell]

Caleb Williams is getting a better understanding and figuring out how to run this offense because think back to Detroit with Jared Goff. Jared Goff under Ben Johnson was probably the best between the numbers thrower at the intermediate level in football because that's the way Ben Johnson structures many of his route concepts. Williams is seeing it the right way for those difficult window throws between the numbers. That's the best way to look at his development and progress under Ben Johnson.

[Colin Cowherd]

So which way does the momentum go? You know, people say Colin, you talk a lot about the Bears. J. Mac said before last year he thought the Bears were the most interesting team going into the season. Now by week six they were a mess. I think they're a much better offensive team and a lot of that's Ben Johnson and I think you're seeing coaching and the separation of it with a lot of these young quarterbacks. C.J. stroud, defensive coach, doesn't have the quite the sensibility or touch he has regressed. I think Caleb Williams looks better today than he did a month ago, so we'll see. I all I know is that by the end of this weekend there will not be a ton of surprises. I put out the super bowl bubble a couple of hours ago and I did not have Kansas City in it. I don't think there's a lot of surprises. I think in an offensive league you've got to occasionally get cheap touchdowns. And I don't think the Chiefs are good enough on the perimeter or in the backfield. And Travis Kelce's probably in his last year. So I think to win a Super bowl you've got to have the kind of either quarterback athletic ability, you got to have cheap touchdowns. And the teams I had in my super bowl bubble, including Seattle, because I do think JSN's a number one receiver. He's emerged as that. And I think Sam Darnold is a highly athletic player. So I think that's the problem with Kansas City and Baltimore. Both are flawed. But between Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers, those are, those are really explosive players you need. You can't win a Super bowl on 13 play drives. You got to score quickly. Either you're behind or you get into a track meet, and I think that's Kansas City's dubious concern is Kelsey's in his last year. They don't have a number one.

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[Colin Cowherd]

You need delivered with Uber Eats. What do you mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A little escape? No Delicious bowl of grapes? Yeah. An afternoon stroll? Sorry, no. A burrito bowl? Happily, yes. How about the clear skies? Can't deliver that, but French fries? Yeah, get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. Seattle for details this is an iHeart podcast.