Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Hour 3 – Brady Quinn, College Football Deep Dive & NFL Headlines
Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Brady Quinn
Producer/Contributors: Dan Beyer, J. Mac
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Overview
This episode of The Herd’s third hour centers on a lively discussion with Brady Quinn, focusing heavily on college football’s current hierarchy, critical matchups, and coaching trends, along with “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today"—Colin’s favorite NFL predictions segment. The conversation flows through evolving power dynamics in college football, the sustainability of star QBs and coaches, the cultural impact of controversial plays, and sharp NFL picks for the week.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. NBA Futures: Jokic vs. Wembanyama Debate
Timestamp: 03:03–03:50
- Brady Quinn questions NBA GMs' preference for Victor Wembanyama over Nikola Jokic, citing Jokic’s durability and “old man game.”
- Quinn quips: “He’s like a refrigerator with a jumper.”
- Colin suggests concerns about Jokic’s aging and athletic upside in a young league.
Notable Quote:
“Jokic could play till he was 50. He’s gonna get buckets. Look at his body—it’s not going to break down. He’s like a refrigerator with a jumper.”
—Brady Quinn (03:29)
2. NFL Coaching Feuds & The Aging Coach Question
Timestamp: 04:12–06:25
- Dan Beyer reports tension between Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly over offensive philosophy.
- Chip Kelly responds to criticism regarding run-pass balance and game management.
- Colin and Brady analyze late-career struggles for legendary coaches like Carroll and Belichick, highlighting the natural decline after age 65.
Insights:
- Coach effectiveness wanes in their 70s, though elite coaches last longer than ever.
- Quinn emphasizes the importance of coaches managing health and adaptation in their mid-60s onward.
Notable Quote:
“Nobody’s in their prime at 70… Once 6 is the first number, you just gotta watch—your diet matters more.”
—Brady Quinn (05:41)
3. Dak Prescott & Quarterback Longevity
Timestamp: 06:25–08:05
- Dak Prescott discusses aspirations to play until 40, highlighting his current joy and purpose in football.
- Brady calls this Dak’s “best ever” stretch, noting he’s carrying the Cowboys despite lacking weapons.
- Colin lauds Dak’s leadership and intelligence, noting he’s an outstanding communicator and team leader.
Notable Quote:
“Dak’s the definition of what leadership looks like.”
—Brady Quinn (07:56)
4. NFL Play Controversies: The Tush Push
Timestamp: 08:05–09:15
- The Eagles' “tush push” play (QB sneak) is debated following their heavy use against Dallas.
- Micah Parsons and NFL fans are vocally critical, predicting the play may soon be banned.
- Colin and Brady discuss the Eagles' run-blocking issues and reliance on this controversial tactic.
Notable Quote:
“They ran the tush push four times in a row…a middle finger. Serious. They basically said, screw it, we’re doing this."
—Dan Beyer (08:05)
5. College Football Power Shifts & Conference Analysis
Timestamp: 12:00–14:47
- Colin: “Ohio State’s the best team in the country; Oregon might be second.”
- Brady Quinn credits NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) as a catalyst for northern teams catching up with SEC schools, as more players seek opportunity outside traditional hotbeds.
Notable Quote:
“We’re seeing that passing of the torch right now… Ohio State, Oregon look to be two of the best, if not the two best, in the country.”
—Brady Quinn (14:47)
6. USC’s Physicality Problem & Transition to Big Ten
Timestamp: 14:47–17:14
- Colin sees a pivotal moment for USC football as it transitions to the tougher, more physical Big Ten.
- Brady identifies Michigan as a crucial test of USC’s fortitude, given its recent loss to Illinois and demanding upcoming schedule.
Insights:
- USC’s struggles are less about talent, more about adjusting to physical football culture.
- The Trojans’ response to adversity will signal whether they can thrive post-Pac-12.
7. Star Quarterbacks: C.J. Carr & Dante Moore
Timestamp: 17:14–19:58
- Brady raves about Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr, touting his NFL-level poise and predicting he may become the greatest QB in school history.
- Also highlights Dante Moore (Oregon), and others as leaders of a new wave of gifted, pro-ready college QBs.
Notable Quote:
“I think [C.J. Carr] is going to be the greatest QB in Notre Dame history. That’s how special he is.”
—Brady Quinn (18:58)
8. Ohio State’s Defensive Transformation
Timestamp: 19:58–23:20
- Quinn credits Ohio State’s staff, especially Matt Patricia, for brilliant defensive improvement after losing key coaches (Chip Kelly, Jim Knowles).
- Notes eight new defensive starters; development and NFL-style schemes are highlighted as major factors.
- Colin remarks on Ohio State's elevated defensive speed and talent, calling them uniquely "NFL-like" in college football.
Notable Quote:
“This group is playing as good, if not better, than last year’s defense. That’s really saying something… Defensively speaking, they have been absolutely lights out.”
—Brady Quinn (20:47)
9. NFL "Tomorrow's Headlines Today" – Week 6 Picks & Rationale
Timestamp: 27:32–35:43
- Colin and Brady predict key NFL matchups, with Colin supplying tongue-in-cheek “headlines” to summarize each game’s outcome.
- Notable picks include:
- Patriots to beat Saints due to defensive lockdown.
- Steelers to dominate rookie QB, referencing Tomlin’s record against first-year passers.
- Colts over Cardinals in a blowout, citing Arizona’s struggles to finish games.
- Niners to dispatch the Bucs relying on coaching and Baker Mayfield’s limitations.
- Chiefs over Lions, questioning Detroit’s win quality and picking KC’s home advantage.
Notable Quotes:
“Mike Tomlin at home against first-year QBs: 16 and 1…he dominates these young guys.”
—Colin Cowherd (29:30)
“Give me the Colts here, Colin, big time…This Colts team for real. Jonathan Taylor, by the way, leads the NFL in rushing.”
—Colin Cowherd (31:22)
10. Jalen Hurts, QB Development, & Coaching Stability
Timestamp: 35:55–37:27
- Jordan Palmer (QB coach) shares wisdom on how coaching turnover impacts QB progress, advocating for teams to retain coordinators like head coaches.
- Brady aligns with this, noting that most QBs are system-dependent and need a quality run game to thrive.
Notable Quote:
“The most underrated thing in sports…is say: We’ve got a great offensive coordinator; let’s just pay him like a head coach.”
—Jordan Palmer (36:47)
Memorable Moments & Standout Humor
- Brady Quinn’s Jokic Analogy: "A refrigerator with a jumper." (03:29)
- Dak Prescott’s Leadership Praise: “Definition of what leadership looks like.” (07:56)
- Tush Push Outrage: “They ran the tush push four times in a row…middle finger.” (08:05)
- Quinn on C.J. Carr: “Going to be the greatest QB in Notre Dame history.” (18:58)
- Colin’s Mock Headlines: Always delivered with a blend of wit and sports cynicism (“The hoof, the hoof is on fire…” (31:25))
Key Timestamps
- 03:03 – Jokic vs. Wembanyama, aging in sports
- 04:12 – Carroll vs. Kelly, running the ball debate
- 06:25 – Dak Prescott’s longevity and impact
- 08:05 – Eagles’ “tush push” and play controversy
- 12:00 – College football’s power shift to Big Ten
- 14:47 – USC’s physicality and Michigan matchup
- 17:14 – Star college QBs: Carr, Moore
- 19:58 – Ohio State’s elite defense, effect of coaching
- 27:32 – Tomorrow’s Headlines Today: NFL week 6 predictions
- 35:55 – Jalen Hurts’ struggles and coaching turnover impact
Tone and Style
The conversation blends Colin’s trademark confident analysis and witty sarcasm with Brady Quinn’s insider knowledge and moderate optimism. Both speakers bring levity, detailed football IQ, and some sharp jabs at coaching tropes and NFL traditions.
Ideal For
- College football diehards wanting deep dives on team building, player development, and conference power swings.
- NFL fans seeking sharp, contrarian picks and an honest look at QB and coach trajectories.
- Listeners interested in how modern trends (NIL, transfer portal, defense vs. offense) are transforming the landscape at both the college and professional levels.
Summary prepared for The Herd, Hour 3 – October 10, 2025.