THE HERD – HOUR 3 – Kyler Murray Starting For Vikings, Joel Klatt: BIG10 DOMINATES SEC

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 – Kyler Murray Starting For Vikings, Joel Klatt: BIG10 DOMINATES SEC

Date: August 11, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest(s): Joel Klatt, John Middlekauff

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the shifting landscape of college football—focusing especially on the Big Ten's recent dominance over the SEC. Colin Cowherd and Joel Klatt break down the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), conference realignment, recruiting, and the infusion of Pac-12 coaching and quarterback talent into the Big Ten. The team touches on competitive balance, preseason rankings, and the high-stakes Texas–Ohio State opener. Later, the conversation turns to NFL topics with John Middlekauff, including updates on Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, and the surprising decision to name Kyler Murray the starting quarterback for the Vikings.

Tone: Opinionated, insightful, conversational, interspersed with humor and banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. How College Football's Power Balance has Shifted

(Colin Cowherd & Joel Klatt, 02:08–10:06)

• NIL, Realignment, and Financial Muscle:
  Colin highlights how the power dynamics in college football have shifted due to NIL and conference realignment—financial ceilings have emerged in the SEC, while Big Ten schools and Notre Dame have enjoyed surging booster support, NIL deals, and lucrative transfer portals.

  • “It feels like there’s unlimited growth for Miami and Notre Dame in the Big Ten and not the SEC… the world has changed.” (Colin, 03:45)

• Big Ten’s Dominance by the Numbers:

  • Big Ten’s playoff record: 13–5, SEC: 5–9 (last three years)
  • Head-to-head, Big Ten is 4–0 over the SEC in the playoff.
  • “In those three championships… the most startling aspect if you were an SEC fan—the most startling aspect of the last three championships is that you [the SEC] didn’t participate at all.” (Colin, 06:08)
  • Everyone has leveled up in player acquisition; “Now everyone’s participating… it has completely leveled out the playing field.” (Joel, 06:48)

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2. The Pac-12 Migration: Big Ten Gets a Creativity Boost

(Colin Cowherd & Joel Klatt, 07:30–10:00)

• Pac-12’s Offensive Coaching and QB Play Enhance the Big Ten:

  • Klatt details how the former Pac-12’s elite offensive minds and QB play are transforming the Big Ten, not just in style but in quality of play.
  • “The Pac-12 gave the Big Ten a little flair and creativity.” (Klatt, 08:19)
  • Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington all bring dynamic quarterbacks and offensive coaches that force the traditional Big Ten heavyweights to modernize and adapt.

• Scheduling Challenges:

  • “Ohio State schedule… is the most difficult schedule in the country. They have to travel to Texas, Iowa, Indiana, USC… still play Michigan, still host Oregon.” (Colin, 09:34)

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3. Big Games, High Stakes: Texas vs Ohio State Opener

(Colin Cowherd & Joel Klatt, 10:06–12:36)

• Pressure on Texas:

  • Joel and Colin agree that Texas faces immense pressure in their home opener vs Ohio State.
  • “If Ohio State goes down there and wins, that is a bad sign for Texas and a worse sign for the conference.” (Joel, 10:35)
  • Colin lists 7 legitimate national title contenders, testifying to increased parity.

• Texas’s Keys to Success:

  • New coordinator (Will Muschamp), struggles at O-line and wide receiver were the real Achilles’ heel—not QB play.
  • “Arch [Manning] wasn’t the issue at Texas. Their offensive line was the issue… They couldn’t run the football.” (Colin, 11:31)
  • Sarkisian’s trajectory at Texas could hinge on this season and particularly the result against Ohio State.

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4. Oregon’s Best Roster Ever?

(Colin Cowherd & Joel Klatt, 17:09–18:50)

• “This is the best roster in college football—deepest, most experienced defensive line in college football.” (Colin, 17:42)
• Oregon is compared to Urban Meyer-era Ohio State and SEC powerhouses for building championship-caliber rosters.
• Colin views Oregon as the “unquestionable favorite” to win the national championship:
  • “They are unquestionably, in my eyes, the favorite to win the national championship and the number one team in the country.” (Colin, 18:48)

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5. NFL Quick Hits: Coaching Legacies and QB Development

(Colin Cowherd & Joel Klatt, 18:50–25:27)

• Bill Belichick’s Legacy:

  • “Nobody cares how it ends… When you’re all-time stuff, nobody cares how it ends.” (Klatt, 18:53)
  • Colin and Joel discuss Belichick’s aging staff and the uncertainty surrounding his future.

• UNC Football’s Uncertainty:

  • “I’d be pretty surprised if he was the coach at UNC next year at this point.” (Colin, 19:41)

• J.J. McCarthy’s NFL Struggles:

  • “You go to college to be ready for your first job… J.J. McCarthy went to college and it did not prepare him for the NFL.” (Colin, 20:44)
  • Klatt counters with: “If you go back to that year, 2023, there was no better quarterback in the country at converting third and longs.” (Klatt, 22:01)
  • Both note the unpredictability of QB success in the NFL, comparing various paths and reboot opportunities for young passers.

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6. Preseason College Football Rankings

(Colin Cowherd & Joel Klatt, 23:58–25:32)

• Klatt lists his top teams: Oregon, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami, Indiana (followed by Texas, Georgia, LSU nearby).
• Both agree the SEC's days of unchallenged dominance are over and that the conference now finds itself “looking up” at several Big Ten powers.
• Quick USC discussion—optimism about their offensive line but concerns about key losses.

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7. NFL News Roundup with John Middlekauff

(Colin Cowherd, Joel Klatt & John Middlekauff, 29:16–37:49)

• Jalen Hurts and Eagles Offense:

  • Vic Fangio praises Jalen’s camp; John and Joel discuss how the new offense could change Hurts’ dynamic after “having to get it to AJ Brown” may have limited flexibility. (31:12)

• Jared Goff’s Growth with the Lions:

  • “He’s the last of the true pocket passers.” (Joel, 33:31)
  • Goff’s stats: first in starts, yards, and passing TDs among QBs over four years—a testament to durability and production.

• Mike McCarthy’s NFL Legacy:

  • “When you coach the Packers and Cowboys, your games… lead every show like ours on Monday morning.” (Colin, 35:22)
  • McCarthy’s offensive impact is consistently positive wherever he lands.

• Kyler Murray Named Vikings Starter:

  • "Is Kevin O’Connell sending a message?" (Joel, 36:10)
  • John: It's more about being honest with the team—not a real competition if everyone knows Kyler's the best option.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Big Ten ascendant:
  “The gap between the Big Ten and SEC… is worse than people think.” (Joel, 10:06)
• Oregon hype:
  “This is the best roster in college football… Oregon is the favorite to win the national championship.” (Colin, 18:48)
• On J.J. McCarthy's transition to the NFL:
  “You go to college to be ready for your first job. J.J. McCarthy went to college and it did not prepare him for the NFL.” (Colin, 20:44)
• NFL coaching legacies:
  "When you’re all-time stuff, nobody cares how it ends." (Klatt, 18:53)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:08 — How NIL and realignment hit the SEC and benefited the Big Ten/Notre Dame
• 05:28 — Big Ten's playoff and bowl dominance over the SEC
• 07:30 — Impact of Pac-12 coaching and QB play on the Big Ten
• 10:06 — Pressure and stakes for Texas-Ohio State opener
• 17:09 — Oregon’s roster: why this is their year
• 18:50 — Discussion of NFL coaching legacies: Belichick et al.
• 20:34 — J.J. McCarthy’s NFL struggles dissected
• 23:58 — Klatt’s preseason college top 5
• 29:16 — Jalen Hurts and Eagles; Jared Goff’s status; Mike McCarthy’s legacy
• 36:08 — Kyler Murray named Vikings starter: context and implications

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Conclusion

This episode of The Herd offers a panoramic, opinion-rich analysis of where college football and the NFL are headed in 2026. Colin and Joel emphasize the Big Ten’s rise, the critical role of dynamic offenses and quarterbacks, and how it’s anybody’s game among the top collegiate teams. The show transitions seamlessly into NFL talk, offering astute commentary on QBs and coaching legacies, and closes with news on Kyler Murray’s quick tap as the Vikings’ new starter—a move that speaks volumes about the current state of NFL quarterback evaluations and transparency.

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For further details, listen to the timestamps listed above for full context and original commentary.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joel Klatt]

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It is remarkable how, you know, I work in broadcasting, how everything has changed over the last five years. I mean, good God, AI two months ago was gonna create 30% unemployment. And people are now saying, well, the companies could grow here. Actually, that's gonna create a lot of jobs. Streaming was gonna dominate the world. And now Netflix and Disney are like, you know, we're gonna do some ad supported platforms. Oh, so basically Tubi and Roku combining forces is a problem. So my takeaway is things change. Five years ago, Brian Kelly leaves Notre Dame and there's a sense that there's a little bit of a ceiling. Tough academics, recruiting's harder. Let's go to lsu. Wild. Wild. LSU can get anybody there. Five years later, it's like lsu, you know, the SEC feels like it's got a little bit of a financial ceiling. And Notre Dame, C.J. carr, big money. Marcus Freeman, booners boosters rolling in. Nil is rock solid transfer portal working to their advantage. It feels like there's unlimited growth for Miami and Notre Dame in the Big Ten and not the sec. And that's just the world. It has changed. We see this in baseball. Used to be strikeouts were the worst. Now it's like, don't hit the ball on the ground. I always wonder what Dave Kingman would be like today in baseball. I grew up, you can look him up. A lot of strikeouts, 500 foot home runs. Now it's like, can't hit a ground ball. Basketball, small ball. Now everybody needs three bigs. Joel Klatz joining us live. He's got the podcast. Obviously works. Our number one Fox Sports college football analyst. Are you surprised? I am. I said when the nil came out, I said, the PAC 12's got Seattle in Los Angeles. Michigan's got a huge endowment. Ohio State's got big money. Even your small school, Northwestern just got a $35 million grant for a $35 million check today from a booster for football. They've got a new stadium And Northwestern's considered the little academic school in the north burbs. It's like now they got big money in football. Are you surprised five years into the nil that the Big Ten, Notre Dame have grown and the sec, though talented, is not ruling the sport or close to it? If you look at the last two

[Colin Cowherd]

year ball records, I'm not that surprised. I think that, you know, if you actually just look at the metrics and the numbers and look at what the Big Ten has done the last few years, it's actually pretty remarkable. Obviously the three national titles, that's what everyone speaks to. But the playoff win loss record in the last three years is 13 and 5, SEC, 5 and 9, head to head in the playoff four and oh, Big Ten over the SEC. So obviously the last three, it's some blowouts. And then you look at just bowl games last year, but bowl games, Big Ten 11 and 5, SEC, 4 and 10 and it. And in those three championships, this is also what I think is most startling. If you were an SEC fan, the most startling aspect of the last three championships is that you didn't participate at all. They weren't even in the national title game in any of those three. Michigan beat Washington, Notre Dame lost to Ohio State, Miami obviously last year with Indiana. So the gap, and you started this as am I surprised? And the dirty part of this answer is that now everyone's participating. And in the past the SEC had the reputation and certainly there were teams outside of the sec. This was not limited to the SEC footprint by any means, but the SEC had a reputation for the way that they recruited and retained players. And now everyone's participating in that and it has completely leveled out the playing field and allowed teams, let's face it, in the north with these bigger markets, with these big brands to go out there and compete on a level playing field and even footing for the talent and talent acquisition is still the lifeblood of college football. So yeah, now everyone's kind of playing on the same level.

[Joel Klatt]

You know, it's really interesting. As somebody that grew up with a Pac 12, I always admitted I thought the coaching and the quarterback and wide receiver play was elite, but I didn't think it was warm weather conference. The stadiums weren't as great outside of husky Stadium and OTS and they weren't nearly as good as the Big Ten of the SEC. But we all asked this question, well, can the Pack 12 handle the physicality? Good question. Fair. But here's the other thing that has to be acknowledged by Big Ten fans. The Quality of offensive coaching and quarterback play out west has always been great. You've now added that to the Big Ten. And so, yes, the Big Ten was better than the Pac 12. Jaden Mayava, Lincoln Riley, Jed Fish, Williams, Oregon, Dante Moore, Nico Imaliavas, super talented kid.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yep.

[Joel Klatt]

The, basically the Pac 12 gave the Big 10 a little flair and creativity and they forced.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, and it forced some of those teams, you know, to come out and have to deal with that and go out there. And now Ohio State has to deal with Oregon, you know, and Michigan has to deal with Oregon. And maybe, you know, to a lesser extent, this was also going on as Urban Meyer entered the Big Ten and modernized Ohio State and made them faster. And they weren't the old slow, lumbering, big shoulder pad Big Ten teams, but they were fast. And you had guys like Curtis Samuel and these others that were running around and they modernized the Big Ten a little bit. But this is certainly an influx of quarterback play that I think is, is, I think that it's transforming the league. It's not just Dante Moore in Oregon, it's not just my Ava at usc. You mentioned I am Alva. And at, at ucla. It's also Damon Williams at Washington with Jed Fish, an offensive oriented guy. So all of these teams come in, they can play offense and it makes it difficult to go out west and play these teams in particular on the long road trip. It's a very deep league. There's, there's no doubt. You can see that by the, the fact of, of those bowl wins a year ago and this year, you know, these teams are going to be head to head. Ohio State schedule. I think it's the most difficult schedule in the country. I mean, they have to travel to Texas, they have to travel to Iowa, they have to travel to Indiana, they have to travel to usc. Indiana and USC didn't lose a game at home last year and Indiana hasn't lost a game at home under Kurt Signetti and USC has to do that. Plus they still have to play Michigan, plus they still have to host Oregon. That's the most difficult schedule in the country.

[Joel Klatt]

How about this though, is that I said this. The gap between the Big Ten and SEC the last two years, as you accurately pointed out in the playoff and bowl games, is worse than people think. Yeah, the pressure is on Texas in that opener against Ohio State.

[Colin Cowherd]

I agree.

[Joel Klatt]

Texas may have the only schedule, road schedule that's as tough as Ohio State's. They lost the game. There's the Arch Manning factor. You're playing at home If Ohio State goes down there and wins, that is a bad sign for Texas and a worse sign for the conference. Do you have a vibe about that opening game?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I, I think Texas is going to be very good. There's seven teams that I think legitimately can win the national championship. I came out with my top 25, my preseason top 25, and everyone's like, well, man, you got Texas low. But here, the, the, the little secret behind my top 25 is I like one A, B, C, D, E and F is like one through seven. Yeah, those top seven teams, any of them can win the national championship.

[Joel Klatt]

I agree with your 7. I just have them in a slightly different order. I think those are seven. Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

And, and, and listen, I think the only one I didn't have problem where they were was Oregon. And we can get into that a little bit. Everybody else six through or a seven through two. It was just like kind of a crapshoot. Texas is very good. They have to improve on the defensive side. Obviously, new coordinator Will Muschamp coming in to shore up that side of the ball, or at least they hope. But the thing that they have to do, have to do is play better at the line of scrimmage because Arch was alone last year. Here's the other part of last year that no one wants to talk about is that Arch wasn't the issue at Texas. Their offensive line was the issue. They're subpar. Wide receiver room was the issue. They couldn't run the football. And so those things have to get fixed. And then this is the other part about Texas that I think everyone is going to be looking at. Sarcasta raises his ceiling at Texas, and that game against Ohio State is the clearest sign of either the seeing ceiling being exactly where it has been at, or, okay, we can go higher. And that's why I think this year there's a ton of pressure on Texas. There's a ton of pressure in that game in particular, being at home. I think they have to win that game. I think that. I think Sark has to compete for and play for the national title for that fan base to feel like this was a success season.

[Joel Klatt]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app

[John Middlekauff]

Stigots Here.

[Joel Klatt]

I have a podcast empire.

[Colin Cowherd]

It continues to grow, and I have

[Joel Klatt]

brought it here to iHeart. I'm also doing a live radio show

[Colin Cowherd]

from 3 to 5pm Eastern because my wife wanted to kick me out of the house.

[Joel Klatt]

It's called Stugatsy Company Live, which is available in podcast form right when the show finishes every single day. Some of the biggest names in sports, a lot of phone calls.

[John Middlekauff]

I love you guys show. It's one of my favorites.

[Joel Klatt]

A lot of interaction, guys not taking themselves too seriously. Those are just some of the things that you can expect from Stugots Co. And Stugots Co. Live. So listen to Stugouts Co. Live and our original podcast. Please subscribe, rate and review Stugatson Co. And God bless Football. Taylor's livelihood depends on it. Do it today and you can check all of those out on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. If you're spending time outside, it's important to know the potential risks of skin cancer. Non melanoma skin cancers or NMSCs, including basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma are common in the US and can become and harder to treat if left undetected. Our sponsor, Regeneron, is raising awareness about advanced NMSCs. Learn more and take the pledge to see a dermatologist annually at let's get realaboutskincancer.com this episode brought to you by Verizon Business when we watch the World cup, we focus on the stars, the players, the coaches, the matches. But here's what's fascinating. What does it take to make an event this big actually work? The World cup from FIFA isn't just the biggest ever. It's also the most technologically complex. 104 matches, 16 stadiums, 3 countries. Think about that. That's not just a sporting event. That's one of the biggest logistical and technological challenges in the world. And with billions of people watching, there's no room for error. But for Verizon business, that's another day with private 5G networks in every stadium, more than 80,000 miles of fiber, end to end security. Verizon business is powering FIFA's World Cup. If Verizon business can do that, imagine what they can do for your business. Visit verizon.com powering FIFA World cup now to learn more. Here's something I've thought about more as I've gotten older. Keeping my family safe, not living in fear, just being prepared. It's why I use Burna. They make self defense tools that actually work that anybody can use even if you've never picked one up before. And here's what got me it's legal in all 50 states. No permit, no background check ships right to your door. Shoots up to 60ft. Way more distance than pepper spray and the rounds will stop a threat and give you the time and space to get your family somewhere safe. What I like is the distance and how easy it is to use. You don't have to let a problem get close to you. You've got options and they're built right here in America. Fort Wayne, Indiana Hand Assembled Burna is trusted by the pros. Over 500 government agencies, police departments and private security firms use. Byrna byrna.com herd b y r n a.com herd burna be ready Living with a rare autoimmune condition can bring a lot of uncertainty, but can also bring people together in powerful ways. Tune in for Season six of Untold Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition, a Ruby Studio production in partnership with Argenics. This season, host Martine Hackett brings you fresh stories from people living with MG and CIDP and expands the conversation of people living with other rare conditions like Myositis and igan. Through their stories, you'll learn what it's like to participate in clinical trials seeking new treatments, how connection fuels hope, and how people can support one another along the way. Because living with a rare disease isn't about getting through it, it's about moving forward together. Listen to Untold Stories Life with a Severe Autoimmune condition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. I think this is maybe the best Oregon roster. John Middleikoff made a point earlier. He said Oregon's had great rosters for 12 years, but they always feel just

[Colin Cowherd]

not like this though.

[Joel Klatt]

You think this is the best, best shot? Oh yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh yeah, yeah yeah yeah. Oregon's always been talented and they've always had talent. The CHIP teams couldn't play at the line of scrimmage with this landing team. Not even close. They were flashy and man they could run and their offense at the time was, was different. And then they had Mariota and then, and then Mario started building up their offensive lines. Remember with Herbert and then he left to Miami and here comes Dan Lanning and he has transformed them. Very similar to what Urban Meyer did with Ohio State in 2012, 13 and 14 was he has built Oregon into what we considered to be the best teams in the world, obviously. And in college football in an SEC fashion, the SEC of 18, 19, 20 with Alabama and Georgia and these, that's what he's built. They're the most experienced, deepest, best defensive line in college football. Oregon I didn't say running back room. I didn't say wide receiver room. I said they are the best, deepest, most experienced defensive line in college football. That alone tells you that this is a very different roster than what Oregon has had in the past. Their defense should be outstanding around that defensive line. They've got their returning quarterback. They've got a running back room that is is basically all returning. They've got a wide receiver room, but all return. Their offensive line is outstanding. This is the best roster in college football. It's the most experienced roster in college football. This was the easiest pick for me in that top seven. They are unquestionably, in my eyes, the favorite to win the national championship and the number one team in the country.

[Joel Klatt]

The, you know that we were talking about the Belichick thing and I said, listen, Michael Jordan played for the Wizards. Nobody cares. Phil Jackson was a disastrous GM of the Knicks. Nobody cares. Eddie Murphy has a great, made a great movie in 25 years since Shrek. When you're all time stuff, nobody cares how it ends. Nobody cares about like, you know, Shaq with the Phoenix Suns. Nobody cares.

[Colin Cowherd]

Right.

[Joel Klatt]

I look at Belichick and I'm like, it's kind of a friends and family staff he wants to work with who he wants to work with. Do you think this year they. They improve? What is your kind of take on where they're at?

[Colin Cowherd]

No idea. No idea. And these are the types of teams, you know, there's a few out there. Colorado change philosophy, you know, in terms of the types of recruits and transfers they're going to bring in. There's so much newness at UNC from a roster perspective. It did not work last year. I thought that he would get that team to play well, in particular in critical moments. Play solid and situational football. That was his M.O. they didn't. I Colin, I've got no beat on this whatsoever. I, I would be pretty surprised if he was the coach at UNC next year at this point. I just don't know. You know, with the Lombardi stuff going on, how much longer is he going to want to do this? I'm not totally sure. And it just. Unless it totally pops, which it might. We didn't think Kurt Signetti was going to be a thing before he was a thing at Indiana, so

[Joel Klatt]

I think

[Colin Cowherd]

it should be better. The offense was a wreck and did they improve on offense? I. I don't know.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah. Hey, J.J. mcCarthy. I've always had this belief that the college guys that work in the NFL, you have to Face some duress. That's why the NFL isn't littered with Ohio State quarterbacks and Alabama quarterbacks and Georgia quarterbacks. It should just be linear five star high school. Go to, go to Bama, go to the NFL. It's a lot of, there's been a lot of Cal guys, Miami of Ohio, North Carolina State, Boston College. I mean you. J.J. mcCarthy literally didn't average 200 yards a game. The best coach, the best O line, the run game, the defense. And I feel bad. I felt like when Matt Leiner came out of usc, he was, he, you go to college to be ready for your first job. J.J. mcCarthy went to college and it did not prepare him for the NFL, which is the windows are small, you trail, you often have the second best roster. I just think he's Michigan. It was like his college years and this happens to a lot of people were his best years. And I don't know if it works in pro football.

[Colin Cowherd]

I, I'm surprised by this one. And, and here's, here's the reason. Everything that you said is, is correct. And yes, they had a, they had a great team. And let's be honest, it wasn't really his team. It was that defenses, they ran the football. It was boycore team.

[Joel Klatt]

Right.

[Colin Cowherd]

You know, and, and that's not to minimize what he was able to do. He was sensational. Here's, here's why I thought it would work. If you go back to that year, 2023, there was no better quarterback in the country at converting third and longs in college football. No better. He was, he was the best. In fact, if you look at Michigan since McCarthy left, that's been their biggest issue is that he bailed them out so they could play that bully ball and it didn't matter if they only gained one yard on first down. They were like, you know, it's fine, we'll just continue. And he was elite again, best in the country at converting third and longs at the quarterback position. So I thought that that would translate. And the idea for me was like that's a, that's a snapshot in the type of game that you have to play at the NFL level, which is you're constantly having to convert. You're having to do these things that are difficult and it hasn't. And I don't know if it was the injury. And this is the thing that I think is the biggest conundrum in the entire draft is that it is almost impossible to accurately predict how a guy is going to go in and do it has to be the right fit, the right health situation, and then they go in and they have success. Do any of us know for sure how it's going to work for Carson Beckett, Arizona?

[Joel Klatt]

No.

[Colin Cowherd]

Do we know how it's going to work out for Fernando Mendoza? No. Do we know how it was going to work out for Caleb Williams? No, but he got Ben Johnson and it's like, well, okay, well, now it starts to look a little different, doesn't it? Colin and Sam Donald was seeing ghosts with the jets, and then it starts to look a little bit different. Now all of a sudden he's winning a Super Bowl. I wish I knew how to predict this. I thought McCarthy would work. He has not. And that doesn't mean that he's done in the NFL. As we've seen, Baker was able to have a reboot, Sam Darnold was able to have a reboot, and we'll see if McCarthy is able to do the same.

[Joel Klatt]

All right, here's Joe's, Joel's Klatz preseason rankings. I'm sorry for SEC fans, but I think he's right on this. Oregon, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami, Indiana. Yeah, I mean, that's. I kind of think. I mean, I think Texas schedule is too hard. I think Georgia's offense is kind of pedestrian, to be honest about it. And listen, sorry, SEC guys. I mean, you had a nice run, but now you're looking up a lot. That's the way the world doesn't.

[Colin Cowherd]

Doesn't mean they're not good. I mean, I think Georgia and Texas are going to be elite teams. Elite teams. I think LSU is a total wild card. I think that ou, Michigan game, week two, same weekend as Texas, Ohio State, that's going to be a phenomenal game. And then I would just say watch out for usc.

[Joel Klatt]

Well, I don't even want to go there because I get.

[Colin Cowherd]

I know. I get that, too. You and I, everyone's like, oh, here they go again with usc.

[Joel Klatt]

But, you know, best offensive line since Pete Carroll, NFL.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's tough that they lost that center. He's a center.

[Joel Klatt]

You know, just so he was a walk on. I mean, it's nothing personal. They're going to move Tobias Raymond over.

[Colin Cowherd]

I was a walk on. Let's go. Let's not throw haymakers at walk ons here.

[Joel Klatt]

Well, I mean, you know, they're going to move that left guard over to center and I don't like that. Look, there was no reason to do that. You had a good segment.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, you took a shot at walk on. So I thought I'd immediately go backwards hat I know how you enjoy it

[Joel Klatt]

from walk on to signing off. It's good to see you clap as always.

[Colin Cowherd]

Great to see you my friend.

[Joel Klatt]

All right. Yeah, I mean it's, you know, I'm not going to make any promises for usc, but like Sam Darnold, I will be intolerable if they make the playoff. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. If you're spending time outside, it's important to know the potential risks of skin cancer. Non melanoma skin cancers or NMSCs, including basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, are common in the US and can become advanced and harder to treat if left undetected. Our sponsor, Regeneron, is raising awareness about advanced NMSCs. Learn more and take the pledge to see a dermatologist annually at let's get real about skin cancer.com this episode brought to you by Verizon Business when we watch the World cup, we focus on the stars, the players, the coaches, the matches. But here's what's fascinating. What does it take to make an event this big actually work? The World cup from FIFA isn't just the biggest ever. It's also the most technologically complex. 104 matches, 16 stadiums, 3 countries. Think about that. That's not just a sporting event. That's one of the biggest logistical and technological challenges in the world. And with billions of people watching, there's no room for error. But for Verizon business, that's another day. With private 5G networks in every stadium, more than 80,000 miles of fiber, end to end security, Verizon business is powering FIFA's World Cup. If Verizon business can do that, imagine what they can do for your business. Visit verizon.com powering FIFA World cup now to learn more. Let me tell you about something most people have never heard of and probably should have. It's called Burna. And here's the part that got my attention. It's a real self defense option that's legal in all 50 states. No permit, no background check. It ships right to your door. It did mine. It's not a gun. That's the point. It's a launcher. Fires a round that stops a threat from up to 60ft away. And it's less lethal. That's way more distance than pepper spray. And it gives you time and space to get to safety. And you don't need extensive training or guesswork. Even if you've never held one. It's built to be simple and easy to use when it actually matters. Best part? They're made right here in America. Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hand assembled. So if you've ever wanted a way to protect yourself and your family without the complications, this is it. Over 500 government agencies, police departments and private security firms use burner. Burna.com herd b y r n a.com herd burna be ready. Living with a rare autoimmune condition can bring a lot of uncertainty, but can also bring people together in powerful ways. Tune in for season six of Untold Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition, a Ruby Studio production in partnership with Argenics. This season, host Martine Hackett brings you fresh stories from people living with MG and CIDP and expands the conversation of people living with other rare conditions like myositis and igan. Through their stories, you'll learn what it's like to participate in clinical trials seeking new treatments, how connection fuels hope, and how people can support one another along the way. Because living with a rare disease isn't about getting through it. It's about moving forward together. Listen to Untold Stories Life with a Severe autoimmune condition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts this fall.

[John Middlekauff]

Big noon Saturday is back. College football's biggest stage returns the best teams, the biggest stars. If it's the biggest game in college football, it's on Big noon start Saturday strong this fall on fox.

[Joel Klatt]

They may make an appearance or two on that show as teams fly into this area. You gotta, you gotta join the show. John Middelkopf with the news. No, no, no, turn on the news.

[John Middlekauff]

This is the Herdline news. You know, Jalen Hurts has been a polarizing player over the course of his career for a guy that's won a Super Bowl. Ben to another one, his defensive coordinator. Many consider the best defensive mind in football, Vic Fangio. I think it's considered something to be a little ornery, a little edgy, doesn't give out compliments easily. But listen to his thoughts on Jalen's performance so far during camp.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think Jalen's having a good camp. You know, he,

[Joel Klatt]

I think he looks faster. You know, we've obviously we can't touch

[Colin Cowherd]

him during practice and, you know, so

[Joel Klatt]

there's always that debate whether you had him or not. A lot's been made about him, all these coordinators he's been with, but it's basically been the same offense every year. This is different And I think he's done a great job with it. Very interesting. Sirianni lets his lets Vic talk. Vic goes up there with big strong things to say.

[John Middlekauff]

Well there's there Sirianni could try to corral him. I don't think there is any slowing down a guy in his late 60s who's made a lot of money and just kind of and when he's that good, you know, you just kind of let him roll. Seventh play caller Colin in seven seasons. But I think Fangio brought up a very interesting point. He's run a collegiate system going back to Lincoln Riley all through college. This is the Shanahan Kubiak under center run friendly. Remember a couple years ago Saquon ran for like 8,000 yards and they ran right to the Super Bowl. So if you can run the ball this offense gets you some layup throws especially mobile. I mean look at Purdy can move a little bit in that offense. Imagine Jalen hurts.

[Joel Klatt]

You know the other thing is an A.J. brown's tremendous. I think he'll like, like I think A.J. brown will be a huge asset for Drake May. But I did feel about two years ago that AJ and Jalen had run their course. It reminded me a little bit of Dak and DEZ where Dak felt like he had to get the ball to him. And then when Des left and Des was always great big receiver got into the end zone. But when Des left it kind of freed up Dak to sprinkle it around the infield. I felt like there was this pressure the last two years to get it to AJ who will flourish with May. But I think it kind of opens up Jalen hurts. It is more his offense now.

[John Middlekauff]

You know Phil, I'm sitting here in Hollywood. It felt a little like a Hollywood marriage started hot and heavy. You remember they acquired amazing. These guys have known each other forever. They're best friends and by the end you're like something is off, right? So yeah, I mean I, I, I, I think Eagles are going to be fascinating. I, I agree with Nick Wright. They're, they're floor and ceiling. Their, their variance is by far the highest. Would if they went 14 and 3, no one'd be surprised if they went 7 and 10 and imploded, no one would be surprised. So speaking of quarterbacks, Jared Goff, you know since coming to Detroit he's really blossomed and getting the Lions back on track and has been a top five quarterback ever over the last four seasons with Goff entering a six year in the with the Lions that's kind of crazy. Dan Campbell spoke recently on what he's seen from his quarterback. This game's good.

[Joel Klatt]

It's damn good. It's the. It's the mentality, the urgency, the leadership, the, hey, man, let's go. He wants to be the best in the league, and he wants to run the best offense in the league. And to get there, we gotta go. Like, we don't have time. That's where I really feel him growing. And every year, I felt more of an urgency out of him in that regard. More command, more leadership, more. And that has to come organically.

[John Middlekauff]

You know, some stats jump out to me on Jared Goff over the last four years. First and starts, durable player.

[Joel Klatt]

Oh, yeah.

[John Middlekauff]

First in yards, productive player. First in passing, touchdowns, explosive play. I mean, he's number one overall draft pick. Obviously, McVeigh really got him going.

[Colin Cowherd]

He.

[John Middlekauff]

He's gone to a completely different level.

[Joel Klatt]

He's the last of the true pocket passers. Like, he's the last guy you draft. Like Fernando Mendoza. People are like, he's a pocket passer, but I watched Fernando against Miami. Fernando can tuck the ball in and run. CJ Stroud, I watched him against Georgia, remember, in that big college football game, C.J.

[John Middlekauff]

stroud ran a 44 at the combine.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah.

[John Middlekauff]

Like.

[Joel Klatt]

Like those guys can move. Jared is the last. And so he is very dependent on protection. Like, when it devolves, he struggles. But they address their tackle. They'll move Penne Sewell to left tackle. Blake Miller, I think it is, goes right tackle. So I think, listen, last year, the offensive line was a little unsettled, and Jared Goff, he needs his feet under him and he needs an extra beat.

[John Middlekauff]

Yeah, I think I saw a headline yesterday that their center had a wrist injury. Now, that could be a month or two. You know, it's not a season ender, but Goff's easy guy to root for. The Steelers, they hired Mike McCarthy this off season. They're playing the packers this week in a preseason game. And Matt LaFleur spoke about Mike McCarthy's resume.

[Joel Klatt]

I've got so much respect for him, first of all, how he's always treated me, and secondly, just by what he's accomplished here. And it's pretty cool that when he got the Pittsburgh job, I'm like, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers. I mean, that's. That's pretty special. So Mike's a guy that I've got a ton of respect for. Well, his resume is the same as Tomlin and John Harbaugh, but He's not viewed the same. I will say this. When you, when you coach the packers and the Cowboys, your games are on Fox every week or Monday Night Football, you know, sometimes you can hide in Carolina for a few years or it's like, you know, you got Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. If you have a bad quarter, a bad play call, it's leading every show like ours on Monday morning. So Mike's bad moments, and they've been infrequent, have been mushroomed in a national controversies and his good moments are, well, it's the packers and Aaron Rodgers and Dak. You should, you should score a lot of points. Just go look everywhere he's been. The offense gets really good very quickly. That is true.

[John Middlekauff]

He's probably got some cool stuff in his house based on where he's worked, you know, with those brands, I mean it's like going to Silicon Valley and working for Google, Oracle and Apple. You know, it's about as good as you get in the NFL with those brands.

[Joel Klatt]

Yep. John, Middlecop of the news.

[John Middlekauff]

Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by.

[Joel Klatt]

The herd lie new. So I guess John, it's interesting Kyler Murray named the starter a week into camp before the games. Is Kevin o' Connell sending a message? I mean that's usually, you know, you'd play it out like that's like, yeah, I mean we're two, three days from a game. It's like, yeah, it. Decision made. What was the message?

[John Middlekauff]

I think showing the veteran players that you guys know who the best player is in practice. You, you've been, I'm sure relaying those messages to me as the head coach. I'm not going to put on a dog and pony show and we all know what actually is going on and who's eventually going to be the starter come week one. So I bet internally they knew this was going to happen in the spring. Most of the players assume that and now I guess you get clarity that it becomes official. But when I, when I think quarterback competitions don't we usually end those late August. So was, was this actually a quarterback competition? To me is my ultimate question because it doesn't feel like it was.

[Joel Klatt]

Well, and also McCarthy had a three year head start so he knew the offense. Right. He knew the personnel. So the fact that you're a week into it for a guy that's brand new and we're not even going to go to a game or an outing, I mean, I don't even know if they've had, I mean there's no inner squad games. There's no, I mean, it's just practice and they've been in pads for like four days.

[John Middlekauff]

You know, I mean, they, they. When Kevin o' Connell said yesterday that Kyler's a lot farther ahead mentally because one question was, you know, Kyler never about the athletic ability or the arm strength. It was the Focus Playbook. When he said that, it was like, whoa. Not good, jj.

[Joel Klatt]

Yeah. All right. Good stuff. See you tomorrow. It's the Herd. This episode brought to you by Verizon Business the World cup from FIFA isn't just the biggest ever, it's also the most technologically complex. 104 matches, 16 stadiums, 3 countries. But for Verizon Business, that's another day with private 5G networks in every stadium, more than 80,000 miles of fiber, end to end security. Verizon business is powering FIFA's World Cup. If Verizon Business can do that, imagine what they can do for your business. Visit verizon.com powering FIFAWorldCup now to learn more. Workplace Chaos We've all been there. Deadlines are slipping, projects are piling up, and suddenly you realize the missing piece is the right person. That's when you say this is a job for Sponsored Jobs. With Indeed Sponsored Jobs, your job post gets a boost so you can connect with quality candidates faster. In fact, Sponsored Jobs posted directly on indeed are 95% more likely to report a higher than a non sponsored job. Spend less time searching, more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Get a $75 sponsored job credit@ Indeed.com podcast need a hiring hero? This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs. Living with a rare autoimmune condition can bring a lot of uncertainty, but it can also create community. In season six of Untold Stories, Life with a severe autoimmune condition, they go beyond MG and cidp. As host Martine Hackett, welcome stories from other conditions like myositis and IgAN into the conversation. Untold Stories is produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Argenics. Listen to Untold Stories Life with a severe Autoimmune condition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Wasabi is purpose built to free your business from skyrocketing storage costs and fees from the big guys. Wasabi is the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams around the world. Check out Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage. Wasabi Air to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercrimin wasabi Driving innovation in data storage for up to 80% less than the other guys try for free at wasabi. Com Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. Proud partner of the Volume Podcast Network.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.