Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 2 – New Blazing 5 Picks, Urban Meyer Joins the Herd
Date: January 9, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Urban Meyer (Former NCAA/NFL Coach & Fox Sports Analyst), Fox Sports Radio Analysts

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively deep dive into the fast-evolving landscape of college football (especially the SEC’s decline and the rise of other programs), NFL playoff predictions with Colin's "Blazing 5" picks, and expert guest analysis from Urban Meyer. The conversation weaves between the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money on college football parity, the practical reality of coaching excellence, and detailed breakdowns of key upcoming NFL and NCAA matchups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Changing Landscape of College Football (03:00–05:57)

• The SEC's Waning Dominance:

  • Colin and the analysts debate the SEC's shifting power, with Colin likening the conference to "the Mountain West with bigger stadiums" (03:12).

  • They discuss how the injection of Texas oil money (from schools like Texas and Texas A&M) is reshaping recruiting dominance.

  • Indiana's recent resurgence, aided by big-figure donors like Mark Cuban, is highlighted as a sign of changing tides (04:38).

    “If you took Texas and Texas A&M out of the SEC, the Texas oil money, what would this conference be then? They can’t compete getting the top recruits. Oil money, you can compete.” — Colin Cowherd (04:10)

• Boosters, NIL, and Program Futures:

  • Analysts compare "old-school" SEC boosters (car dealers, whiskey distributors) to deep-pocketed tech and oil magnates now backing schools like Texas Tech and Indiana (05:32).
  • Oregon, with robust booster backing, is seen as the best program in college football at present, even above traditional SEC powerhouses (05:12).

2. Colin’s Blazing 5 Playoff Picks (06:00–11:25)

Colin rolls out his postseason picks, applying his usual stats-driven but gut-influenced reasoning:

• Rams -10.5 vs. Panthers (06:11): Rams’ momentum, high-octane offense, and Panthers’ suspect record against playoff teams.

  • “No team had that many big blowout wins. Number one offense... If they can cut the turnovers down and Stafford hasn’t had a lot of bad games this year, they’re going to win the game. … Rams win it. Rams cover. Final score 33 to 20.” — Colin Cowherd (06:22)

• Bears +1.5 vs. Packers (07:06): Bears’ superior O-line and rushing attack in lousy weather, Packers on a cold streak.

  • “Caleb Williams, five TDs and a pick... The Packers are on a four-game losing streak heading into the playoffs. ... I like the Bears. Take the points to win 27-24.” (07:30)

• Jaguars +1.5 vs. Bills (08:05): Jags as the league’s hottest team, Bills’ suspect defense late in games.

  • “They remind me of that Carolina team with Cam Newton. They just got hot and you’re like, get out of the way. ... I like the Jags to win. J’ville 30–27.” (08:38)

• Eagles -5.5 vs. 49ers (09:03): Eagles’ home field, healthy roster, Niners’ historic struggles against Vic Fangio’s defenses.

  • “They get sevens, not threes. ... Jalen Hurts is comfortable at home; better roster, healthier roster. ... Eagles to cover 28–20.” (09:30)

• Indiana -3.5 vs. Oregon (10:10): Indiana’s efficient, mistake-free play; Oregon’s run defense vulnerabilities.

  • “Did they not commit fewer turnovers than any Power Four team?... I think Indiana wins. I think Indiana covers. Indiana 33, Oregon 28.” (10:48)

3. College Football Analysis with Urban Meyer (11:45–24:00)

• Facing a Team Twice in College Football:

  • Urban dismisses the "rematch revenge" narrative:

    “I don’t think there’s any bearing, other than comfort and knowing the personnel... This is a new game, new season for these two teams.” — Urban Meyer (11:59)

• Indiana’s Culture and Coaching:

  • Meyer marvels at Indiana’s discipline:

    “You don’t fumble because ... the players are bought into the culture of the program... Every time they’re going through traffic, you see the right hand come right over the ball, all the time. ... I don’t know if I, off the top of my head, can think of a mistake they made.” (12:55, 14:02)

• Miami's Physical Brand and Coaching Impact:

  • Discussing Miami’s rise:

    “The physical teams are separating themselves right now... Teams that control the line of scrimmage, play great defense and are tough as hell — they’re the ones that are winning games. ... Miami is a problem.” — Urban Meyer (14:53)

  • Both agree modern college football is about toughness and trench play, not just flash.

• The SEC's Decline in Defensive Talent:

  • Urban observes the tangible drop:

    “The first thing you thought of [about the SEC] is the defensive front seven. How the heck are we going to block these guys? And now you’re seeing teams get — I mean, Indiana hammering Alabama... whatever’s happened has happened. I wish I had an explanation.” (17:03, 17:46)

• Wild NIL Era and Transfer Portal Frustrations:

  • Both are troubled by the Demon Williams/Washington drama, with Urban calling it:

    “The worst thing I’ve heard in the last 10 years of the game... I don’t know how you heal that, you just turned your back on a locker room. ... There’s got to be some kind of regulation.” (18:56)

4. Officiating, Playoff Crunch-Time, and "Gray Area" Calls (19:57–24:30)

• Debate Over Critical Pass Interference Calls:

  • Colin: “I would not call a pass interference on Miami in the end zone. ... I don’t think you get that in the final throw” (20:59).
  • Urban: “Oh, it does bother me because if it’s a foul, it’s a foul. ... But it has to be so flagrant that... you make that call” (20:59).

• Colin on Officiating Nuance:

  • “Life is nuanced and gray. It’s not all black and white.” (19:57)
  • Both acknowledge the tension between rule enforcement and letting players decide outcomes in clutch moments.

5. NFL Playoff Storylines, Contracts, and Trends (43:54–50:44)

• Quarterback Contracts and Team Sustainability:

  • Colin and analysts discuss the cap implications of mega-QB contracts:

    “This is what, Lamar? Remember, he’s not happy with his deal; he wants a new one. He’s got a $74 million cap hit next year. I just, I don’t know if it’s sustainable.” (48:35)

    • “It feels like a new era... I feel like the NFL is going through a bit of a sea change right now with the way teams are built.” — Analyst (49:24)

• Playoff Quarterbacks: Rookie Deals Rule:

  • Teams making noise have QBs on rookie/team-friendly deals, allowing strong rosters to be built elsewhere.
  • Tom Brady’s approach noted:

    “Tom Brady was never the highest paid quarterback.” — Colin Cowherd (49:35)

• Specific Matchup Commentary

  • Rams vs. Panthers: Rams likely to dominate, Panthers’ playoff berth questioned due to negative point differential (45:18).
  • Packers vs. Bears: Tight matchup, hinges on turnovers and basic execution, third meeting this year (46:46).
  • Bills vs. Jaguars: Jags are the hottest team, Bills have the biggest superstar. Coaching and D-line play highlighted (47:06).
  • 49ers vs. Eagles: Niners’ health is the X-factor; Eagles are home and favored.
  • Chargers, Patriots, Steelers, Texans: Additional games are broadly discussed in passing.

6. NFL Coaching Carousel and Future Trends (32:28–37:53)

• Coordinators Rising:

  • Jags DC Anthony Campanile highlighted as a potential head coach if defense excels against Bills (33:04).
  • Lions want Mike McDaniel for their OC role, seen as a coup if it happens (34:40).
  • Analyst: “If they land McDaniel, that’s the best coordinator hire because that would fit Jared Goff, Gibbs & Co.” (34:40)
  • Brian Dabel curiously absent from coaching rumors despite clear qualifications (36:16).

• Draft Preview and Conference Power Shift:

  • J Mac’s Mock Draft indicates Big Ten and ACC ascendance, SEC less dominant at the top compared to past years (37:46–38:21).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SEC's Changing Fortunes:

  “Oregon right now is a better college football program than anybody in the SEC. ... Four years ago, Oregon would have been like third.” — Colin Cowherd (05:12)

• On Indiana's Culture:

  “Every time they’re going through traffic, you see the right hand come right over the ball... I don’t know if I can think of a mistake they made.” — Urban Meyer (12:55)

• On the NIL/Transfer Portal:

  “That’s the worst thing I’ve heard in the last 10 years of the game.” — Urban Meyer on the Demon Williams saga (18:56)

• On Officiating at Big Moments:

  “Life is nuanced and gray. It’s not all black and white... I would not call a pass interference on Miami in the end zone.” — Colin Cowherd (19:57–20:59)

• On QBs and Team Building:

  “This is what, Lamar? ... He’s got a $74 million cap hit next year. I don’t know if it’s sustainable.” – Analyst (48:35)
  “Tom Brady was never the highest paid quarterback. ... You have to make decisions.” — Colin Cowherd (49:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:12 — The SEC is “the Mountain West with bigger stadiums”
• 04:38 — Mark Cuban’s donation and Indiana’s ascendant future
• 06:10–11:25 — Colin’s Blazing 5 Playoff Picks (Rams, Bears, Jags, Eagles, Indiana)
• 11:45–24:30 — Urban Meyer joins: Coaching analysis, rematches, Miami’s physicality, NIL chaos, officiating philosophy
• 43:54–50:44 — NFL playoff predictions, salary cap realities, contract trends

Conclusion

In this episode, Colin Cowherd delivers a data-packed, provocative perspective on the sea changes sweeping through both college and pro football. Whether spotlighting the power of NIL and boosters in college football's new world, setting the stage for the NFL playoffs with his trademark picks, or sparring with Urban Meyer on coaching culture, discipline, and controversial penalty calls, the show is a mix of tradition and disruption. It's a must-listen for anyone following the shifting tectonics of football, both on and off the field.