The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1

Date: October 30, 2025

Main Theme:
Colin dives into the precarious position facing the Dodgers in the World Series, what their struggles mean for Major League Baseball, and takes a close look at the Lakers’ roster decisions after Austin Reaves’ breakout performance. In addition, he explores topics on NFL GM strategies, commentary on the Steelers and Cowboys, and weighs in on college football coaching rumors and the value of elite quarterbacks.

Dodgers on the Brink: Why LA’s Struggles are "Good" for Baseball

Key Points:

• Dodgers in Trouble:
  LA is on the brink of elimination, and it’s Toronto’s bats making the Dodger pitching staff highly uncomfortable.
  • Colin notes the Dodgers’ MVPs (Ohtani, Betts, Freeman) are not performing: "Ohtani, Betts and Freeman held hitless... The last two games Dodgers as a team are hitting a buck 64." (07:03)
• Trey Yesavage’s Pitching Masterpiece:
  Trey Yesavage, who started the season in single-A ball, struck out 12 Dodgers, holding all three of LA's superstars hitless and allowing only one Dodger to reach scoring position.
  • Colin: “He struck out every Dodger at least once. We thought the Dodgers would hit their way to a title, yet they’ve scored 64 total runs in the playoffs. The Jays are at 100 and counting.” (08:40)
• Baseball Parity Is Healthy:
  The Dodgers' struggles are positive for MLB's competitive image, countering perceptions of financial imbalance.
  • “When [the Dodgers] dominated... it’s like the sport’s uneven. This is not fair. They... there’s a massive financial gap... So the Big Ten winning a natty or the Chiefs getting blown out in Super Bowls... gives everybody else hope.” (05:08)
• Making Adjustments:
  Dave Roberts addresses possible lineup changes heading into Game 6 but emphasizes, “we still gotta take good at bats, all of us.” (10:17)
• Mental Pressure:
  Dodgers seem tight; Toronto is loose and enjoying the postseason moment, highlighting the psychological side of baseball.
  • “There are two sports where you have a lot of downtime and a lot of time to think... golf and baseball. I’ve seen great golfers collapse... I think a bit of [the Dodgers’ struggles] is in their head.” (46:05)

Memorable Quotes:

• On Yesavage: “He started the year in single-A baseball. That is several notches below the G League in the NBA. And he just handcuffed the Dodgers—bad at bats, bad swings by star players.” (54:33)
• Dave Roberts: “Regardless of who we run out there... we still got to take good at bats, all of us, and so that’s what I’m betting on.” (10:17)
• Trey Yesavage: “It was just another strikeout... Hollywood couldn’t have made it this good. So just being a part of this, I’m just very blessed.” (56:35)

NBA: Austin Reaves Breaks Out, But What Should the Lakers Do Next?

Key Points:

• Austin Reaves’ Huge Game:
  Lakers guard posts 28 points and 16 assists with no Luka or LeBron; Colin calls it, "a great American sports story" and draws a parallel to how breakout opportunities change player valuations. (17:23)
• Lakers’ Roster Dilemma:
  • “Is he too good to trade or is he the perfect trade piece?” Colin questions if Reaves is simply outgrowing his Lakers role, especially given the organization's new ownership. (19:55)
  • JJ Redick praises Reaves: “That guy is gonna show up in the big moments. Not surprised. He’s done that many times in his career.” (25:38)
• New Ownership vs. Old Approach:
  Colin speculates the new Lakers owners won’t have sentimental ties to LeBron the way the Buss family did, focusing instead on long-term, low-maintenance, dependable assets.
  • “When somebody buys a company, they see the world differently... They don’t want old and high maintenance. They like young, cheaper, healthier, coachable. Austin Reaves is a very attractive player to any new ownership group.” (24:10)
• Trade Rumors:
  • JMac teases potential trade partners: “The team I heard last night that is interested in Austin Reeves, keep an eye on the Utah Jazz. Lauri Markkanen is a budding star...” (33:50)

Memorable Quotes:

• Colin: “Maybe it’s LeBron we don’t need.” (21:20)
• JJ Redick: “Feel very comfortable with [Reaves] making decisions at late game.” (25:40)
• JMac: “Why can’t Austin be Kyrie Irving?” (28:16)
• Colin: “He’s much cheaper, younger, healthier, and let’s be honest, less maintenance than LeBron.” (23:44)

NFL Insights: Cowboys, Steelers, and Chiefs

Key Points:

• Cowboys’ Front Office Distractions:
  • Jerry Jones is too distracted by business ventures, not locked in on being GM: “Running several billion dollar companies simultaneously... does not feel ideal.” (42:07)
• Draft, Development & Value:
  • The true secret to the NFL’s best teams is finding value in middle and late rounds: “The big stuff, I don’t worry about... It’s the stuff in the middle nobody talks about that’s helped build the Rams.” (43:19)
• Steelers and Mike Tomlin’s Hot Seat:
  • Tomlin’s “two is a trend” mantra flipped on its head: “Well, what’s seven? Seven years when you can’t get your own line right? ... Pittsburgh cannot beat good teams.” (1:05:20)
• Kansas City vs. Buffalo – Who’s Better in Big Games?:
  • KC gets the nod for defense and coaching, but the Bills as home underdogs are tough. Banter between Colin and JMac leads to a playful bet:
    • JMac: “If the Chiefs win this game, I will stop bashing them for the rest of the regular season.” (1:13:00)

College Football: Lane Kiffin and Coaching Job Pressure

Key Points:

• Colin on Lane Kiffin:
  Envisions him best fit at Ole Miss due to the relaxed environment and less “kissing the ring,” warning against jumping into political hornet’s nests like LSU or Penn State.
  • “You wanna enter that hornet’s nest? Hard pass. No thank you.” (1:22:40)
  • “Ole Miss is gonna pay him whatever he wants... is it really better making 11, 12% more at the highest pressure job?” (1:24:15)

The Quarterback Edge – Why Star QBs Matter

Key Points:

• Star QBs Change Everything:
  • “The great thing about having a star quarterback is you always have a way to very quickly dig yourself out of a hole.” (1:29:30)
  • Cites Lamar Jackson’s return and Baltimore’s next seven games as a reminder of the QB’s central role.
• Elite QB vs. Backup Stress:
  • On risky play-calling: “Don’t you ever watch a football game... your team doesn’t have a star quarterback? ... Andy Reid will drop Patrick Mahomes in that end zone 10 out of 10 times.” (1:33:55)
• Lamar on Team Mentality:
  • Lamar Jackson: “Each and every game gonna be like a win or go home game.” (1:30:45)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Colin on baseball parity:

  "This is what’s great for Major League Baseball: Dodgers struggling, being on the brink... Big picture, it gives everybody else hope." (06:14)

• On underdog pressure:

  "The Dodgers came in as a favorite. There is so much media now, so many platforms. You can’t avoid it... and I think a bit of it’s in their head." (46:41)

• On the NFL Draft:

  "So much of this league is minutia... Puka Nacua in the fifth, he’s a star... That’s why they can pay for Davonte Adams, because Puka Nacua is free for three or four years." (43:56)

Timestamps

• 05:08 – Dodgers’ struggles, MLB narrative
• 07:03 – Yesavage’s dominance, Dodgers’ stars MIA
• 10:17 – Dave Roberts on adjustments
• 17:23 – Austin Reaves’ Laker explosion
• 21:20 – Speculation: Lakers move off LeBron?
• 25:38 – JJ Redick on Austin Reaves
• 33:50 – Utah Jazz rumored interest in Reaves
• 42:07 – Cowboys GM distraction
• 43:19-43:56 – NFL value in mid-rounds
• 54:33/56:35 – Yesavage’s reaction, postgame
• 1:05:20 – Steelers/Tomlin playoff drought
• 1:13:00 – Chiefs-Bills bet conversation
• 1:22:40 – Lane Kiffin, big job pressures
• 1:29:30 – QB value in NFL
• 1:30:45 – Lamar Jackson’s mentality
• 1:33:55 – QB risk-taking with stars vs backups

Summary

Colin Cowherd uses the Dodgers' World Series woes to illustrate broader challenges and opportunities in MLB, highlights how a breakout star like Austin Reaves forces the Lakers to reevaluate their plans, and offers measured insights on NFL team-building, front office distraction, and star quarterback impact. The tone, as always, is engaging, pointed, and prescriptive—Cowherd moves fluidly from baseball to basketball to football, tying every story back to the psychology, strategy, and business of pro sports.