The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 1 (Oct 2, 2025)

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd dives into the dramatic MLB Wild Card games, focusing on the Yankees' clutch Game 2 victory over Boston and the Dodgers' dominance (with bullpen caveats) against the Reds. He also tackles the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback dilemma, discusses the ongoing value and transparency of NFL injury reports, and wraps up with a wide-ranging conversation with Urban Meyer about college football’s biggest moments and coaching pressure at top programs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees Win Game 2: High Leverage Moments and Analytics

• Main Takeaway: The Yankees capitalized on crucial moments, while Boston faltered with defensive mistakes.

• High Stakes Format: Colin praises MLB’s three-game Wild Card series, comparing its urgency to the drawn-out NBA playoffs.

• Pitching Edge: Yankees started Carlos Rodon (18 wins); Boston didn’t have ace Garrett Crochet (lefties hit .166 against him all year).

• Analytics and Lineup Critique:

  • Ben Rice gets in the lineup thanks to the analytics department; delivers power early.
  • Colin argues analytics can underplay the importance of “athletes” like Jazz Chisholm, whose speed and energy shape games.
  • "The guys upstairs are setting the lineup. Oh, Ben Rice is allowed to play. Bang. Jack, two, nothing." (06:30)

• Crucial Plays (05:10–06:10):

  • Fifth inning, Boston outfield error on Aaron Judge flyball gives Yankees lead.
  • Red Sox fail to capitalize in the 7th (bases loaded, poor at-bats).
  • "This was just a game that all these high leverage moments—the Yankees start the game with the better starting pitcher and they, in these crucial moments, got the hit, got the defensive play, moved the base runner over..." (06:40)

• Manager Reactions:

  • Aaron Boone (Yankees Manager):
    • "I thought our defense tonight was really, really good. Turned a couple big-time double plays, did some good things on the bases." (07:32)

• Colin's Verdict:

  • Urges managers to trust gut and hot hands in postseason instead of rigid analytics.
  • "Baseball postseason's always been about stars and big moments delivering." (08:20)

2. Dodgers’ Dominant Win Overshadowed by Bullpen Worries

• Offensive Juggernaut: Dodgers lineup (13 hits, 8 runs) is "one of the all-time great lineups."

• Mookie Betts:

  • Four hits, three RBIs, recovering from early-season slump.
  • “The Dodgers just have too much talent. They just overpower Cincinnati.” (09:20)

• Pitching and Bullpen Tension:

  • Yamamoto rebounds after shaky start; Dodgers’ bullpen nearly undoes big lead—41 pitches in the 8th inning, 84 over three innings.
  • "Watching a Dodger game, if you're a Dodger fan, is literally like watching a horror movie with a great cast. You just wait to the last 10 minutes and see if your favorites survive." (10:10)

• Bullpen X-Factor:

  • Introducing Roki Sasaki, new Japanese fireballer, now set for high-leverage relief.
  • "They moved him to the bullpen. They're going to need him to be great against the Phillies." (10:45)

• Manager’s Message:

  • Dave Roberts: "My only ask is that every single guy be ready when called upon. We're gonna need every single one of you guys." (11:20)

• Big Picture:

  • Philly presents stiffer challenge; bullpen could cost Dodgers everything.
  • "All hands on deck against the Phillies. My gut feeling is, I would take the Phillies..." (11:55)
  • Makes comparison to how a poor O-line loses Super Bowls—here, it’s the bullpen for the Dodgers.
  • “It keeps every Dodger game interesting.” (12:17)

3. The Vikings’ Quarterback Conundrum

• Sam Darnold Debate:
  • Media wonders if Vikings erred letting Darnold go after stellar season (35 TDs, 12 INTs, 103 rating in Minnesota).
  • "He is big. He is strong. I always said he's somewhere between Carson Wentz and Andrew Luck." (19:25)
• JJ McCarthy’s Struggles:
  • First-round pick but inconsistent early returns ("One of his quarters was great, the other seven, not so much").
  • Darnold wanted starting job security—refused to play with "young guy hovering over me."
• Difficulties in Finding Franchise QBs:
  • Rarity highlighted through examples (Jets, Dolphins, Saints, etc.).
  • "It is really hard to find a franchise quarterback. Really hard. Go look at the Jets since Joe Namath..." (19:09)
• Kevin O’Connell (Vikings Coach) on QB Situation:
  • "We've, you know, tried to navigate those times by, you know, being at our best for that player and ultimately try to do the things that they're most comfortable with." (22:22)
• Organizational Parallels:
  • Colin draws a line to the Colts—good roster, held back by QB limitations.
  • Also blames MLB’s front offices for hamstringing managers with analytic micromanagement ("Baseball managers used to set the lineup. They don't anymore." 23:00)

4. NFL Injury Reports: Transparency vs. Gamesmanship

• Topic Sparked by Lamar Jackson Injury (24:32–26:45):
  • Jason McIntyre shares concern about lack of clarity on Jackson's status.
  • John Harbaugh (Ravens coach) "combative" with the media about the injury; Colin: “I think the NFL should ban the injury report.”
• Arguments For/Against Injury Reports:
  • Fans, gamblers, and media rely on info; Colin focuses on player protection, suggesting injury info could be exploited by opponents.
  • "All these sports have one rule. Protect the athlete. That is the number one rule." (26:20)
• Jason McIntyre Chimes In:
  • Cites fantasy and betting as reasons for transparency.
  • Lively banter about what info teams owe the public and how it affects the game.

5. Quick Hits: NFL, College Football News, and Shedeur Sanders

• Injuries heavily impacting 49ers–Rams Thursday night matchup.
• Deion Sanders supports son Shedeur’s social media antics. NFL opinion of Shedeur’s draft value has shifted ("People have made their mind up on Shedeur Sanders as a kind of marginal talent who's a little silly..." 29:54).
• Colin and Jason use Sam Darnold’s journeyman story as a crucial example of NFL backup value and networking: “That's life. That's how it works when you're in your 20s." (31:20)

6. Padres–Cubs, More Baseball Strategy

• Padres even series against Cubs through timely hitting (Machado, Tatis) and early bullpen deployment.
  • Colin: "They want to get to their amazing bullpen...Mason Miller, who throws absolute gas. 102, 103. He actually threw a 104.5 pitch, an all time postseason baseball record." (35:00)
• Reiterates that certain MLB teams must play to their identity (Padres: get a lead, go to bullpen).
• Manny Machado on the win:
  • "Postings of the bop man. It's a beautiful, beautiful thing to be playing here and in front of these crowds. You know what’s at stake..." (35:16)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Colin on analytics, lineups, and postseason play:
  • “There are just players in big moments you want out there...Baseball postseason's always been about stars and big moments delivering.” (08:15)
• On the agony of being a Dodgers fan during bullpen innings:
  • “Watching a Dodger game...is literally like watching a horror movie with a great cast.” (10:10)
• Dave Roberts’ message to the Dodgers:
  • “There's a lot of work to be done. My only ask is that every single guy be ready when called upon...Let's go.” (11:20)
• Kevin O'Connell (Vikings HC), on QB instability:
  • "It's not leaving any stone unturned." (22:22)
• Hard-to-find QBs in NFL:
  • "It is really hard to find a franchise quarterback. Really hard." (19:09)

College Football: Interview with Urban Meyer (40:36–49:15)

Big Themes:

• Pressure at Blue Blood Programs
  • Urban on Penn State: "I've been at Penn State when we won some close games and I walk off the field and you know, it's ‘hey coach, see you in a couple years’...I wonder if deep down...it's not life or death." (41:18)
• Signature Wins as Lifelines
  • Colin on Alabama: "Kalyn DeBoer beating Georgia in Athens...in the last six years...I don't know of a bigger regular season win at Alabama." (43:00)
  • Urban: “I don't want to say that was a job saver, but it was a job saver.” (43:08)
• Sustained Excellence & NFL Connections
  • Colin and Urban agree that programs like Ohio State and schools with consistent leadership are uniquely resilient.
  • Coaching pressure and culture is everything (University of Miami's unique "pro market" feel, for example).
• Quarterback Development
  • Urban on Dante Moore (Oregon):
    • "He is the most humble, lead by example type guy. The coach loves him...I would just, I've always pumped the brakes on that because I think that's the one position that you need time. You need to be time tested." (47:34)
  • Colin: "Stoic calm in all that pressure..."
  • Urban: "You seen him get emotional after that big win. That was beautiful." (48:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:20] MLB Wild Card urgency & Yankees–Red Sox breakdown
• [05:10] Game 2 recap — Red Sox mistakes, Yankees capitalize
• [07:32] Aaron Boone postgame quote
• [09:00] Dodgers–Reds recap, Mookie Betts’ resurgence
• [10:10] Dodgers bullpen struggle analogy
• [11:20] Dave Roberts’ locker room speech
• [18:56] Vikings QB situation, NFL QB rarity
• [22:22] Kevin O'Connell on Vikings QB approach
• [24:32] NFL injury report debate sparked by Lamar Jackson’s status
• [29:19] Shedeur Sanders/NFL draft narrative
• [35:16] Manny Machado postgame quote
• [40:36] Urban Meyer interview: Penn State, Alabama's win, Ohio State, Miami
• [47:34] Urban on Dante Moore and QB development

Final Thoughts

Colin Cowherd delivers a fast-paced, high-energy breakdown of the baseball playoffs' signature moments, bringing his classic blend of analysis and opinion regarding managing styles, analytics, and the “guts” required in postseason sports. The team’s discussion with Urban Meyer offers a fascinating window into the mindset needed to lead—and survive—at college football’s top jobs. When talking NFL or college football, the throughline is clear: great organizations, whether on the diamond or the gridiron, are built on decisive leadership, not just data or reputation.

For full analysis, insights, and all the memorable soundbites, listen on Fox Sports Radio or wherever you subscribe to The Herd.