The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 1 – Miami (FL) is Bad for College Football, the War on the NFL, Time to Dump Goff

Date: January 1, 2026
Hosts: Rob Parker (Guest Host), Kerry Rhodes (Guest Co-Host)
Special Guest: Yogi Roth (Big Ten Network)

Episode Overview

On this New Year's Day episode, Rob Parker and Kerry Rhodes cover the seismic shock of Miami upsetting Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, debate whether the current format is hurting the sport, tackle Dan Lanning's fiery comments about the NFL's "takeover" of college football weekends, and close with a spirited discussion about whether the Detroit Lions should move on from quarterback Jared Goff. Special guest Yogi Roth joins to break down the college football landscape and playoff structure.

The episode is rich in heated debate, memorable sports analogies, and behind-the-scenes insight, capturing both the controversy and excitement swirling in the heart of college football and NFL discourse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami’s Upset of Ohio State and What It Means for College Football

[02:59-16:29]

Miami's Shock Win Over Ohio State

• Kerry Rhodes wasn’t surprised, predicting Miami’s strong defensive presence would disrupt Ohio State.

  • “I thought Miami had enough defense, enough pass rush to affect Ohio State... more than capable of winning and they showed that last night.” (04:49)

• Rob Parker calls out the impact of the new playoff format—especially how the long layoff (25 days) for top seeds with byes can leave them flat.

  • “Ohio State hadn’t played football… in 25 days. You can’t tell me that doesn’t affect you.” (06:23)

• The hosts delve into how dominant Miami was from the start, with Ohio State’s QB appearing rattled against a relentless pass rush.

  • “Ohio State was lucky to be down 14 [at halftime]… Miami dominated.” (05:27)

Is the Format Good for College Football?

• Kerry: Upsets are good for belief—but acknowledges brands matter.

  • “You want people to believe that team has a chance to win. It helps.” (07:17)

• Rob: Networks and the sport need the big brands for ratings—referencing college basketball’s ratings struggles in years with too many “Cinderella” Final Four teams.

  • “Cinderella is great… for the first round.” (08:22)
  • “If Ohio State is your top brand… you want them to go out in the first round of this? This is not… what they really wanted.” (08:49)

• The expanded playoff has led to lower seeds (like Miami, mis-seeded as a 10 seed) knocking out top brands, which may be great once in a while but risks damaging broad fan interest.

Scheduling & Layoff Problem

• Multiple references to other sports (MLB playoffs, NFL) where teams with byes come out slow, suggesting college football needs to rethink the calendar.
  • “Teams that get byes... haven’t won a game yet.” (06:14)
• Long pauses between end of season and playoffs make teams rusty; intensifies debate about the regular season’s value vs. the playoff spectacle.

Notable Quote

• Rob Parker: “Vegas doesn’t give you nine and a half points… that’s a major upset.” (11:30)

2. College Football as the NFL’s “Feeder System” and the Scheduling “War”

[24:11–32:13]

Dan Lanning Calls Out the NFL

• Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s comments spark a discussion on NFL’s “invasion” of college football’s traditional Saturday slot.

  • “We’re the minor league… but there’s no money paid from the NFL to take care of college football. We’ve given up some of our days right to the NFL.” – Dan Lanning (25:10, via paraphrase)

• Rob Parker sides with Lanning, sharply criticizing the NFL for encroaching on college football’s territory, referencing the broadcast rules originally meant to keep high school (Friday), college (Saturday), and the NFL (Sunday) separate.

  • “The NFL, they’re bullies… they have infringed on Saturdays.” (25:52)
  • Argues for a “real war” if college football wants to win back Saturdays: "If you guys don't want to work with us, we might have to cut off access that we give you to our athletes." (27:41)

• Kerry Rhodes points out college football itself is playing on non-traditional days (e.g., Friday night games), so it’s hard to complain about NFL's expansion.

  • “They’ve started to spread their wings… if they’re saying the NFL does that, high school can say they’re a farm league for college.” (29:32)

• Debate underscores the power dynamic: NFL’s reach and ratings swamp other sports (e.g., NFL “took” Christmas from NBA).

Notable Moment

• Rob explains how fantasy football made the NFL a national obsession and changed sports viewing habits:
  • “Fantasy football made me care about games that had nothing to do with my team… That’s how you take something from regional to a national interest.” (32:13)

3. Yogi Roth Joins: Playoff Format, Conference Perceptions & What’s Next for Miami

[33:58–43:17]

Playoff Format: Is the Layoff Hurting Top Seeds?

• Yogi Roth (Big Ten Network) agrees the layoff is an issue: “We should be playing the title game right now… The top seeds still get byes [in the NFL], but they’re only off for a week.” (35:59)
• Suggests upcoming years will force college football to reconsider its schedule and postseason format.

Miami’s Long-term Potential

• Points out how rare Miami’s success has been since their 2002 title, but credits Cristobal’s program building, likening it to the glory days.
  • “There’s something… when the U is back, when the Trojans are rolling… it’s fun to have those blue bloods back.” (38:13)

Big Ten vs. SEC and the “Power 2”

• Yogi: “Head and shoulders above? No, but are they separating? I think so. …The care factor? Through the roof.” (42:56)
• Notes rising quarterback talent and intense regional fandom set those conferences apart.

Notable Quote

• Yogi Roth: “If you asked me last year, my biggest takeaway of the Big Ten: quarterback play wasn’t as good as I wanted. This year—it’s the best in the history of the league.” (40:56)

Fun Moment

• Rob asks about Yogi’s name, leading to a heartfelt explanation of its Hindu and Hebrew roots.
  • “Yogi is like if you practice yoga, trying to bring some union to the world in this chaotic world.” (43:57)

4. NFL Talk – The Jared Goff Debate: Time to Move On?

[49:36-53:30]

• Rob Parker contends Detroit QB Jared Goff isn’t the answer for a Super Bowl contender, citing his turnover-heavy playoff games and struggles in must-win scenarios.

  • “He had more turnovers than a bakery.” (50:44)
  • “There's a common denominator. I'm convinced you can't get there. I've seen enough of Jared Goff.” (53:03)

• Kerry Rhodes pushes back, saying Goff is the best option for the Lions right now, given what he’s brought to the franchise.

  • “You’re not getting anybody better than Jared Goff right now.” (53:14)

Notable Quote

• Rob Parker: “Let’s stop acting like just winning nine games is great and we’re all happy schmappy and all that. The idea is to get to the Super Bowl.” (51:33)

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• Kerry Rhodes: “Miami had enough defense, enough pass rush to affect Ohio State… more than capable of winning, and they showed that last night.” (04:49)

• Rob Parker: “Cinderella is great… people love Cinderella in the first round. [But the] ratings were horrible and people didn’t watch [when all blue bloods were out].” (08:22)

• Rob Parker: “Vegas doesn’t give you nine and a half points… that’s a major upset.” (11:30)

• Rob Parker: “25 days is a long time… even just for a bowl game. They wait until the holidays to put those games on and it’s like a month.” (15:53)

• Dan Lanning (via Rob Parker): “We're the minor league in a lot of ways, but there’s no money paid from the NFL to take care of college football. We've given up some of our days right to the NFL.” (25:10)

• Rob Parker: “If you guys don't want to work with us, we might have to cut off the access that we give you to our athletes, to our intel… They have a free minor league system.” (27:41)

• Yogi Roth: “We should be playing the title game right now… The top seeds still get byes [in the NFL], but they’re only off for a week.” (35:59)

• Rob Parker: “He had more turnovers than a bakery.” (50:44)

• Rob Parker: “Let’s stop acting like just winning nine games is great and we’re all happy schmappy and all that. The idea is to get to the Super Bowl.” (51:33)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:59] – Show open, happy New Year, start of college football talk
• [04:49] – Kerry Rhodes analysis: Why Miami's upset wasn't shocking
• [06:23] – Impact of layoff/byes for top seeds
• [08:22] – Brands vs. upsets debate: Are Cinderellas hurting the sport?
• [11:30] – How Miami dominated, Ohio State’s struggles, Vegas odds
• [15:53] – Problems with layoff and scheduling in college football
• [24:11] – Dan Lanning’s comments on the NFL “taking over” college football’s Saturday
• [25:52] – Rob Parker: NFL as bully, the history of sports scheduling
• [32:13] – How fantasy football and gambling changed TV ratings
• [33:58] – Yogi Roth joins: dissecting the playoff format and Miami’s potential
• [40:56] – Big Ten, SEC, and the “Power 2” debate
• [43:57] – Yogi explains the origin of his name
• [49:36] – Jared Goff, Dan Campbell’s comments, and the Lions’ Super Bowl hopes
• [51:33] – Rob’s strong stance: It’s about Super Bowls, not just wins

Tone & Style

• Upbeat, humorous banter with sharp, opinionated debate
• Frequent sports analogies and references to recent and classic games
• “Hot take” energy: hosts aren’t afraid to disagree or critique
• Real talk from behind the mic: “Let’s pull the curtain back” moments

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving dynamics of college football’s playoff format, the ongoing struggle between college and NFL scheduling, and the high expectations placed on NFL quarterbacks. The interplay between Rob Parker’s direct and sometimes provocative takes and Kerry Rhodes’ player’s perspective provides both entertainment and depth, with Yogi Roth offering a measured, inside look at the college football landscape.

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