The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: THE HERD - Hour 2 - Where Colin was right and wrong, college football playoff, Steve Sarkisian
Date: December 1, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Host: Colin Cowherd
Episode Overview
Hour 2 of The Herd delivers Colin Cowherd’s signature blend of sharp NFL and college football analysis, focusing on what he got right and wrong in recent predictions. The episode unpacks the chaos of the current NFL season, college football playoff debates (notably Miami vs. Notre Dame), and the surging narratives around teams like Dallas, Chicago, and Green Bay. Matt Hasselbeck joins as a featured guest to provide further insight, and the banter with co-host J. Mac covers football storylines, coaching impacts, and key player performances in a direct and engaging style.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Colin Right / Colin Wrong: NFL and CFB Hot Takes
Segment Start: [04:11]
Highlights:
- Right: The Micah Parsons trade benefited both Green Bay and Dallas (“Dallas now has a much more complete defense and is still number two in the NFL in quarterback pressures.” - Colin, [04:12])
- Wrong: Expected Lane Kiffin to avoid the LSU coaching job due to politics and potential messiness, but he misread Kiffin’s intentions ([04:52]).
- Right: Expressed doubts about Aaron Rodgers’ fit in Pittsburgh - sees a “beaten man” in an organization that struggles with offense ([05:36]).
- Wrong: Believed the Chiefs (6-6) would pull together, but they remain middling and possibly out of playoff contention ([06:12]).
- Right: Called Ohio State over Michigan, praising OSU’s defense as historically good ([06:43]).
- Right: Predicted Detroit Lions offense would stagnate after Ben Johnson’s departure, which has come true ([07:26]).
- Wrong: Overestimated the Colts—injuries and offensive struggles revealed they lack ceiling ([08:05]).
- Right: Praised Alabama’s hire of Kalyn DeBoer as about as good as possible post-Saban, but noted NIL’s impact on Bama recruiting ([08:33]).
- Right: Felt Texas A&M was overrated due to favorable scheduling ([09:20]).
2. Matt Hasselbeck Joins: Real-Time NFL Evaluations
Segment Start: [10:04]
Dallas Cowboys Defense (post Micah Parsons trade)
- Colin apologizes to Jerry Jones, crediting roster building ([10:17]).
- Matt underscores how coordinator scheme fit is crucial; multiple changes (Dan Quinn to Mike Zimmer) required careful personnel alignment ([10:43]):
- “You owe Jerry Jones an apology because you probably trashed him for the Micah Parsons trade. And here we are. They're playing great football…” —Matt [11:17]
Bears Assessment & Quarterback Debate
- Matt praises the Bears’ run game and trenches, skeptical about the quarterback’s consistency:
- “The Bears are awesome... December football, it comes down to elements... They rushed for 200 yards like all month. They're fine. They're good. [QB] has to be better with accuracy, better with ball placement. That's the next step.” —Matt [12:36]
- Colin is impressed after a statement win in Philly, but both debate whether the Bears are truly elite or benefiting from schedule.
Denver Broncos’ Scrappy Success
- Colin: Unsure about Denver’s real ceiling, but notes “winning the same way over and over isn't luck.” ([13:51])
- Matt credits Sean Payton’s leadership and how team buys into messaging:
- “He controlled the narrative... Not up there apologizing. We won.” [14:25]
Young Quarterbacks & Denver's Bo Nix
- Matt defends Bo Nix against criticism, acknowledges Denver D is carrying him but believes in potential ([14:25]).
Coaching Types: Scheme vs. CEO
- Colin labels LaFleur, Shanahan, Payton as hybrid scheme/CEOs, while Sirianni and Dan Campbell are more CEO than schematic fixers.
- Matt: Philly’s offense struggles from too many three-and-outs and an over-focus on pleasing skill guys (AJ Brown), need to get back to physical identity ([16:24]).
Overcoming Adversity: San Francisco’s Culture
- Matt shares stories from his Seattle days, draws parallels to the resilience of the current 49ers despite injuries:
- "So what. Now what? You didn't make an excuse, you're going to find a way. And I think that's an example of what San Fran has done." —Matt [18:08, 46:54]
Aaron Rodgers & Steelers
- Both discuss how Rodgers’ lack of offensive help, O-line weaknesses, and loss of weapons doomed him in Pittsburgh ([19:25]).
- “He doesn't look like he's having any fun and I don't blame him... I’m not giving up on this team though, because this division is there for the taking.” —Matt [20:04]
3. College Football Playoff Chaos: Miami vs. Notre Dame
Segment Start: [27:02], Deep Dive [31:06]
Colin’s Case for Miami over Notre Dame
- Miami has head-to-head win over ND, better stats vs. common opponents, and a superior defense and pass game ([31:39], [33:04]).
- “At some point, we gotta be fair... Head to head now. It's gotta be something. Common opponents have to be something.” —Colin [38:27]
- J. Mac challenges, noting Miami’s “ugly losses” and that the win over Notre Dame was in August, in Miami, and in a rainstorm for ND's first-year QB.
- Colin concedes punitive losses matter but pushes back that the schedule “breaks your way” sometimes in CFB.
SEC & Playoff Scenarios
- Discussion of what happens if Alabama beats Georgia—who gets in, can Notre Dame/Miami both make it? ([35:42])
4. NFL Standouts: Great Performances and Controversies
Jordan Love Blind Resume
Segment Start: [47:25]
- Colin uses blind stat comparisons to show Jordan Love’s numbers match or exceed Super Bowl-winning seasons from Tom Brady, Matt Stafford, and Patrick Mahomes.
- “What is it with Jordan Love?... At this point he's good.” —Colin [48:24]
- J. Mac skeptical, pointing out schedule strength, but eventually admits Love’s production is impressive ([50:21], [50:53]).
Puka Nacua “Catch of the Year”
Segment Start: [28:22]
- Rams WR Puka Nacua’s highlight grab: praised by Colin and J. Mac as "clubhouse leader for catch of the year" ([28:22]).
Quarterback Consistency: Bryce Young & Lamar Jackson
- Bryce Young shows both elite flashes and inconsistency; Colin compares to other volatile young QBs ([29:34]).
- Lamar Jackson’s struggles—passer rating “falling off a cliff,” with turnovers and lack of “escapability” ([37:12], [37:58]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Colin (on Cowboys defense): “I watched that game. Matt. That's a real defense. I mean, you can't run on him now.” [10:17]
- Matt Hasselbeck (on team adversity): “So what. Now what? You didn't make an excuse, you're going to find a way. And I think that's an example of what San Fran has done.” [18:08], [46:54]
- Colin (on Miami/ND debate): “At some point, we gotta be fair... Head to head now. It's gotta be something. Common opponents have to be something.” [38:27]
- Matt (on Sean Payton's Broncos): “He controlled the narrative... Not up there apologizing. We won.” [14:25]
- Colin (on Jordan Love): “What is it with Jordan Love?... At this point he's good.” [48:24]
- Matt (on Bears QB): “Their quarterback has to be better with accuracy, better with ball placement. Like that's the next step for him.” [12:36]
- J. Mac (on Bears’ Super Bowl odds): “Green Bay has a much better odds for super bowl than Chicago. Despite being number one in the NFC. The market is telling you this Bears team is fugazi.” [51:51]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Colin Right/Wrong: [04:11] – [10:04]
- Matt Hasselbeck Joins: [10:04] – [21:50]
- College Football Playoff Debate Begins: [27:02]
- Miami vs Notre Dame Deep Dive: [31:06] – [38:27]
- Blind Resume: Jordan Love vs. Super Bowl QBs: [47:25] – [50:53]
- Puka Nacua Catch & Bryce Young Discussion: [28:22] – [30:46]
- Lamar Jackson Concerns: [36:49] – [38:19]
Tone & Style
The episode features Colin’s trademark mix of directness, humor, and willingness to challenge football orthodoxy. There’s banter and debate with Matt Hasselbeck and J. Mac, whose back-and-forth lends energy and depth to the hot takes. Listeners get both bold predictions and thoughtful breakdowns.
Conclusion
Hour 2 of The Herd showcases Colin Cowherd’s top talking points—where he’s been right or wrong, the chaos and surprises of both the NFL and college football, and how coaching, leadership, and roster moves continue to drive unpredictable outcomes. The Miami/Notre Dame playoff debate, nuanced QB evaluations, and the relentless tallying of league surprises make for an episode full of topics, insights, and classic sports radio bravado.