The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Guest Hosts: Rob Parker & Kerry Rhodes)

Hour 2 – The ‘Underdog’ Hoosiers, NFL Week 18 Preview, Stafford’s MVP Case

Date: January 1, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

On this lively New Year's Day episode, guest hosts Rob Parker and former pro safety Kerry Rhodes took the reins, dissecting college football's biggest narratives and previewing critical NFL Week 18 action. The conversation zeroes in on the Indiana Hoosiers' so-called "underdog" football story, dives deep into NFL playoff scenarios, and debates Matthew Stafford's MVP credentials—a discussion colored with candid opinions, sharp stats, and listener interactions. Special guest Carmen Vitale from FOX Sports Radio joins to deliver further NFL insight.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

Debunking Indiana's "Underdog" Narrative

Rob Parker and Kerry Rhodes spar over the portrayal of Indiana football as this season's Cinderella story, exposing the financial muscle and strategy behind their unprecedented run.

• [03:51] Rob Parker: “I know the difference between underdogs and cute little stories... Indiana football is not one of these stories. They’re fraudulent underdogs to me.”
• Extensive spending has propelled Indiana into the top 10 nationally for money spent on players, coaching, and support staff.
• The Hoosiers’ quarterback, Mendoza, commands a $2 million salary—hardly a rags-to-riches tale.
• Indiana’s use of the transfer portal, combined with deep pockets, makes their rise planned, not miraculous.

Quote [06:14] Rob Parker:
“This is not... ‘how did Indiana come out of nowhere?’ They spent the money to build a super team. Don’t make a false narrative like you’re stunned.”

• Kerry Rhodes concedes Parker’s logic, noting the current college football landscape allows ambitious, well-funded programs to flip the script—but won’t call this Indiana story a fairy tale.
• Despite public perception, Indiana’s football success is a calculated investment, not a coincidental run of upsets.

Quote [07:52] Kerry Rhodes:
“You talked about them being a basketball school. We know they have the resources... If you got a coach you believe in, you don’t think they’re spending that money as well?”

• The hosts challenge callers: Are listeners buying into the “Indiana Underdog” narrative?

Reactions & Social Commentary

• [10:01] Rob Parker draws parallels to NCAA March Madness, pointing out that true underdogs rarely, if ever, win it all—success is most often reserved for blue bloods and big spenders.
• [11:05] Kerry Rhodes observes that fans’ affection for Indiana’s QB Mendoza is rooted more in his likable journey than in true “underdog” status, leading to public embrace of the storyline despite the financial facts.
• [12:49] Rob Parker identifies the contradiction: “You can’t be number one and an underdog at the same time.”

Listener Call-In: Are You Rooting for Indiana?

• [22:56] Greg in Pennsylvania echoes the hosts’ sentiments. Indiana isn’t an underdog—people’s intrigue comes from their rapid transformation and ability to outpace traditional powers, thanks partly to their financial commitment.

  • “They got the right coach, they’re spending the money... Our payroll for players is in the top 10 now with the big dogs. They should be here.” [23:58]

• Both hosts discuss how buy-in—from administration to donors—directly correlates with secular success, using Indiana as Exhibit A.

On Miami’s Playoff Run & Sideline Celebrity Culture

• [25:14] Kerry Rhodes and Rob Parker shift focus to Miami, lauding their story as a more organic and compelling Cinderella arc.
• They critique the spectacle of ex-players and celebrities on the sidelines, particularly during Miami’s games, arguing that the attention should remain with current student-athletes.

Quote [26:03] Rob Parker:
“Can the kids have their shine?... Let those kids at Miami have their moment. The camera naturally goes toward Ray Lewis and Michael Irvin, but it should be about the kids.”

• The hosts note a pattern: celebrities flock to success, but vanish when teams struggle (e.g., Colorado and Deion Sanders' early season run).

Live Game Updates & Strategy Talk

• Ongoing commentary on the day’s College Playoff game (Oregon vs. Texas Tech), highlighting missed opportunities, game management, and old-school football philosophies.
  • [30:14] Rob Parker: “Oregon hasn’t even scored a touchdown—two field goals... all these points are going to matter as the game continues. Passing up points early doesn’t always behoove the team that’s trying to be aggressive.”

NFL Week 18 Preview with Carmen Vitale

[32:28] Guest: Carmen Vitale, FOX Sports Radio Weekend Host

Ravens and Steelers, AFC North Drama

• Should Lamar Jackson play if not fully healthy?
  • Carmen: “If 65-70% Lamar is better than your other options, then I think the answer is yes. At this point in the season, nobody’s 100%.” [33:31]
• Both Parker and Rhodes voice skepticism around the Ravens' recent consistency, referencing years of heartbreak and crucial mistakes.
  • “Every year ends the same way, Kerry. It’s disappointing. It’s not always Lamar...” [32:16]

Texans Analysis & CJ Stroud’s Development

• CJ Stroud crowned too early?
  • Parker expresses doubt about the second-year QB, citing inconsistency and injuries.
  • Carmen: “We as an NFL community expect too much, too soon, for too long with these guys... these quarterbacks don’t enter their prime until they’re 30. Stroud will need time.” [37:00]

NFC South Chaos

• With the Panthers in playoff contention, Carmen is skeptical about a deep run:
  • “I don’t know about this year. There are still some glaring holes there... No one’s underestimating anyone in the postseason.” [38:41]

Sam Darnold’s Playoff Stakes

• Does Darnold need at least one playoff win to legitimize himself?
  • Carmen: “Winning a playoff game can go a long way in giving Sam Darnold the benefit of the doubt... do we actually think he’s a good quarterback? Postseason success is the quickest route to that.” [41:10]

Super Bowl Picks

• Carmen sticks with her preseason pick: Bills vs. Packers (“I don’t feel as confident, but it’s still possible, and I’ll stick with it.” [41:59])
• Rob Parker: Had Packers vs. Ravens, but now thinks Steelers might knock out Baltimore.
• Kerry Rhodes: Ravens vs. Rams.

Matthew Stafford’s MVP Case: Too Little, Too Late?

Segment [50:44]

• After two rough games (including three picks against the Falcons), Stafford’s MVP frontrunner status is in jeopardy.
• Odds flipped after his recent stretch; Drake May now leads the MVP betting.
  • Rob Parker: “It’s hard to give it [MVP] when your team is the fifth or sixth seed. Ten days ago they were the number one seed… he’s made it a conversation.” [52:12]
  • Kerry Rhodes: “He was the clear-cut favorite two weeks ago, but he’s made it tough now. You’re part of a team slipping, it’s hard to ignore.” [52:27]
• The hosts reference previous MVP outcomes (i.e., Lamar vs. Purdy) to illustrate how late-season performance can shift the narrative.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rob Parker [07:15]: “Don’t make out a false narrative like you’re stunned. If you do any research, they should be where they are.”
• Kerry Rhodes [07:52]: “Right, and I think that’s what college football has afforded teams like Indiana.”
• Rob G [13:00] (on Nick Saban’s comments): “When I play golf in Alabama, my friends all say we should kick the [blank] out of Indiana... That’s how people are viewing them—not with respect.”
• Rob Parker [26:03]: “Let the kids have their shine... the cameras will always go to Michael Irvin and Ray Lewis, but it should be about the kids.”
• Carmen Vitale [33:31]: “If 65-70% Lamar is better than any other option, then I don’t think it’s a question. This is what you play for.”
• Carmen Vitale [37:00]: “We as an NFL community expect too much too soon for too long with these guys... The process of becoming an elite quarterback is rarely linear.”

Timeline of Key Segments

• [03:08] – Rob Parker & Kerry Rhodes welcome listeners, tease upcoming topics
• [04:37 – 06:30] – Talk: Indiana’s “underdog” status debunked
• [10:01 – 11:59] – NCAA “Cinderella” talk & public perceptions
• [12:32] – Can Indiana be both #1 and an underdog? The contradiction
• [22:56] – Caller “Greg” from Pennsylvania on Indiana’s big spending
• [25:14] – Miami playoff run, ex-player sideline culture, and criticism
• [30:14] – Oregon vs. Texas Tech live update and game management talk
• [32:28 – 44:56] – Guest Carmen Vitale on NFL playoff races, Lamar Jackson, Texans, Panthers, and QB pressures
• [50:44] – Stafford’s MVP case post-falcons performance

Tone and Language

The episode is opinionated, humorous, and conversational—Rob Parker’s “get off my lawn” energy mixes with Rhodes’ player perspective, both remaining candid and accessible. Guest segments provide analysis with a journalistic flair but stick to the show’s energetic, sports-radio style.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This hour offers a skeptical take on college football’s supposed “underdogs,” sharp NFL playoff analysis, honest takes on MVP discourse, and lively banter—plus a meaningful guest perspective on NFL quarterback development and playoff stakes. If you’re tired of feel-good narratives detached from reality, or if you simply want the real talk on who’s for real in football right now, this episode delivers.