The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 3)

Episode Date: December 10, 2025

Main Theme:
A deep dive into the fallout of Notre Dame being left out of the College Football Playoff, plus lively discussions on the state of college football, NFL quarterbacks, baseball dynasties, and NBA trade speculation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Notre Dame & College Football Playoff (03:41–06:57)

Colin Cowherd & Guest: Josh Pate (College Football Analyst)

• Notre Dame’s Frustration:
  Colin and Josh discuss the pettiness of Notre Dame canceling Ivan Maisel's book signing because he's on the CFP selection committee, highlighting broader frustrations in the aftermath of the selection process.

  • “This is ridiculously petty… Are you surprised by this academic powerhouse being this ridiculously petty?”
    —Colin Cowherd [03:41]

• Playoff Selection Process Debate:
  Both agree that, in the end, the committee largely got the top four teams right, but the process felt broken and mismanaged.

  • “98% of my vitriol was reserved for the process... the committee made it look in the end like they had no clue what they were doing when they had every reason to just go ahead and have Alabama above Notre Dame or Miami above Notre Dame.”
    —Josh Pate [05:27]
  • “What I wish Pete Bavacqua or anybody banging the Notre Dame drum would just stick to the main argument... If they could stick to the main argument, they’d get broad consensus.”
    —Josh Pate [05:27]

2. The State of College Football & The Rise of Mega Conferences (06:57–10:01)

• Changing Landscape:
  Colin reflects on being from the West Coast and understanding the demise of the Pac-12, supporting the movement towards mega-conferences with big brands, NIL, and the transfer portal making college football feel more professional.

  • “I think now having two massive conferences... I don’t think college football has ever been crazier, wackier, more discussed or better or more diversified.”
    —Colin Cowherd [06:57]

• Josh Pate's Perspective:
  Josh likens college football to a favorite candy bar, indifferent to which company owns it as long as it "tastes the same." He acknowledges the current chaotic transition, advocating for eventual regional realignment for scheduling/logistical sanity.

  • “The regionality within the national scope of the sport is something we’ve lost… I’d love for the sport to get where it’s going and then in a very ironic twist... sort of resemble what it used to look like where scheduling makes more sense.”
    —Josh Pate [08:23]

3. College Football Standouts: Fernando Mendoza & Indiana (10:01–12:21)

• Surprise Performances:
  Colin and Josh discuss Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, who shocked Ohio State and fans with his standout play, drawing parallels to Andrew Luck’s days at Stanford in terms of coming from relative obscurity.
  • “I’ve owned a TV my whole life... it was hard to wrap my brain around that performance because Indiana football has never looked like that ever.”
    —Colin Cowherd [10:05]
  • “If you’re not familiar with Fernando Mendoza… that personality is like a bucket of water to your face and you’re like, whoa, this dude really talks like this… America is now being introduced to Fernando Mendoza.”
    —Josh Pate [10:47]

4. NFL News & Storylines

Philadelphia Eagles’ Struggles (18:15–19:47)

• Eagles have lost three straight; questions arise about QB Jalen Hurts’ form, the chaotic locker room, and possible need for drastic changes.
  • “Something has to change. I don’t think it’s all on Hurts… it’s just a bunch of nonsense.”
    —Colin Cowherd [19:24]

Drake May & Patriots Resurgence (19:47–21:06)

• Patriots (now 11-2) find success behind rookie QB Drake May, credited for his work ethic and in-season improvement.
  • “Drake deserves all the credit in the world because he came in and started learning and hasn’t stopped.”
    —Josh McDaniels (via Colin) [20:11]

NFL Quarterback Discourse: Caleb Williams, Justin Herbert (31:28–35:46)

• Caleb Williams’ Upside vs. Bo Nix:
  Danny Parkins believes Williams’ accuracy is “correctable”, with a much higher ceiling than Bo Nix.

  • “I think his ceiling is much higher than Bo Nix’s… I definitely think what I’ve seen on film in stretches suggest that he can be great.”
    —Danny Parkins [32:21]

• Justin Herbert’s Greatness:
  Discussion highlights Herbert’s elite performance despite poor luck and injuries, with Parkins asserting that doubting Herbert means dismissing football expertise.

  • “If you watch the NFL and do not have Justin Herbert as a top five quarterback, I’m not terribly interested in your opinion on anything else in football.”
    —Danny Parkins [34:24]

Chiefs: Reload or Rebuild? (35:46–36:54)

• Parkins labels the Chiefs a “retool” rather than a rebuild, as long as Mahomes and Reid are in place, expecting competitiveness with some tweaks.
  • “Maybe a tinker or two to the coaching staff, got to improve their pass rush, got to improve their running game. And I assume that they’ll be right back in the playoff mix.”
    —Danny Parkins [35:52]

5. Major League Baseball: Dynasties and Parity (36:54–39:13)

• Are Big Market Dynasties Good for Baseball?
  Colin argues that the sport is bigger and more interesting with dynasties like the Yankees or Dodgers, while Parkins says there’s value in both competitive balance and star teams.
  • “Baseball needs these big Cubs win the World Series, Yankees, Dodgers... NFL doesn’t, NBA does, baseball doesn’t. I don’t think the Dodgers buying up top players hurts the sport, what say you?”
    —Colin Cowherd [37:57]
  • “I do not personally think that great inequities across sport is good for the overall health of the sport... But they are objectively interesting… I think this is one where both things can be true.”
    —Danny Parkins [38:01]

6. NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Scenarios (22:18–43:40)

• Where Could Giannis Go?
  Panel riffs on potential Giannis trades, what the Knicks, Lakers, Heat, or Rockets could offer, and the calculus for both trading and acquiring teams.

  • “I would love to see him go to the Knicks, selfishly… Jalen Brunson and Giannis… As long as they don’t have to give up Bridges, Cat and two number ones.”
    —Colin Cowherd [23:54]
  • “Whoever gets the star wins the trade. Giannis is fascinating… He does not shoot from the perimeter, which is what the league is, but there are arguments for guys like Holmgren or Sengun.”
    —Colin Cowherd [41:34]

• Windows & Team Building:
  Colin and co-host weigh Giannis’ future championship window (2–3 years), emphasizing importance of surrounding him with shooters (e.g., Bridges, Hart).

  • “If I’m Milwaukee, I definitely want Sengun… That’s the guy I’m targeting.”
    —Colin Cowherd [43:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Committee Controversy:
  “Is that not the kind of stupidity that you normally see in an election season?”
  —Josh Pate [04:28]

• College Football’s Transformation:
  “Regionality within the national scope of the sport is something we’ve lost… I’d love for the sport to get where it’s going and then in a very, very ironic twist of fate, sort of resemble what it used to look like where scheduling makes more sense.” —Josh Pate [08:23]

• Fernando Mendoza Hype:
  “That personality is like a bucket of water to your face and you’re like, whoa, this dude really talks like this… America is now being introduced to Fernando Mendoza.”
  —Josh Pate [10:47]

• On Justin Herbert:
  “If you watch the NFL and do not have Justin Herbert as a top five quarterback, I’m not terribly interested in your opinion on anything else in football…”
  —Danny Parkins [34:24]

• Baseball Parity vs. Dynasties:
  “I do not personally think that great inequities across sport is good for the overall health of the sport... But they are objectively interesting…”
  —Danny Parkins [38:01]

• On Giannis Trade:
  “Whoever gets the star wins the trade. Giannis is fascinating… I love Giannis in New York.”
  —Colin Cowherd [41:34]

Segment Timestamps

• Notre Dame playoff snub & committee process: 03:41–06:57
• Mega-conferences and college football’s future: 06:57–10:01
• Indiana/Ohio State & Fernando Mendoza breakout: 10:01–12:21
• NFL quick hits (Eagles, Drake May, QB chatter): 18:15–21:06 & 31:28–36:54
• Baseball’s dynasties vs. parity debate: 36:54–39:13
• NBA trade rumors, with a focus on Giannis: 22:18–43:40

Summary Takeaways

This episode weaves together analysis and spirited debates on the ripple effects of college football’s changing landscape, the drama and structure of the playoff selection, breakout stars and NFL evaluations, as well as broader sports business topics — especially around fairness, super teams, and superstar trades in major leagues. Josh Pate's in-depth knowledge grounds the college football conversation, while Danny Parkins brings an analytical, stats-driven angle to NFL and baseball debates. As always, Colin’s rapid-fire, conversational style keeps things lively, with no lack of hot takes and witty asides.

For anyone who missed it, this hour offers equal parts sharp sports analysis, barstool banter, and an honest look at trends reshaping America’s major sports.