The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – Lane Kiffin, Texas A&M’s Rise, NFL Headlines, and “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” with Kayce Smith
Date: November 14, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Guests: Kayce Smith (Barstool Sports), Dave Wanstedt

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode dives into several hot-button topics in college and pro football:

• The viability of Texas A&M as a true contender
• The shifting landscape of SEC football
• Lane Kiffin’s NFL prospects and fit
• The effects of NIL and conference realignment
• Discussion on Alabama, Michigan, and West Coast teams
• NFL team matchups and analysis with “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”
• The impact and experience of Kayce Smith at Barstool Sports

The tone is lively, debate-driven, and peppered with signature Cowherd banter and sharp analysis.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Texas A&M as a Contender: Skepticism and Defense

[04:25-05:59]

• Colin is skeptical of Texas A&M’s status as a dominant program, citing favorable matchups against struggling teams and questioning their toughest wins.

• Kayce Smith & Dave Wanstedt defend A&M:

  • “This team is playing for Mike Elko differently than I’ve ever seen.” (Dave, 05:31)
  • A&M’s improved mentality attributed to new strength/conditioning staff and cultural shift.
  • Emphasis on NIL money’s impact: “Texas has the most money. Texas A&M has the second most money in the conference.” (Casey, 05:59)
  • A&M’s legit non-conference win over Notre Dame lauded.

• Bama’s standing:

  • “Bama is not what they were with Saban, and it’s not Kaylin DeBoer’s fault… They got dragged.” (Casey, 05:59)

2. Alabama’s Transition, Ty Simpson & Team Identity

[06:38-07:31]

• Quarterback Ty Simpson: Concerns about his ceiling but credit for patience and character.

• Offensive limits:

  • “They do look a little bit one dimensional... Alabama, they don’t run it.” (Dave, 06:43)
  • Cites lack of physicality and running game compared to Saban years.

• Toughness factor:

  • “There’s something about these Alabama teams under Kaylin DeBoer that just don’t look as tough and physical.” (Dave, 07:11)
  • "They went to Oklahoma, got pushed around. That never happened with Nick Saban." (Casey, 07:11)

3. Lane Kiffin’s NFL Interest and Cultural Fit

[07:41-09:06]

• Kiffin’s “cool” factor:

  • “Lane Kiffin is kind of cool... Offensive high school players will follow coaches. Defensive guys go to big schools.” (Colin, 07:44)
  • “He’s the best at social media trolling, and these guys love that.” (Dave, 08:18)

• College vs NFL:

  • "He’d be great in the pros... But I think he fits the college culture..." (Dave, 08:18)
  • "He’s just inappropriate enough on social media, like you guys are a lot..." (Casey, 09:06)

4. Michigan’s Identity & Harbaugh Successor

[09:27-10:40]

• Discussion about the emotional pulse of the Michigan program with Harbaugh’s replacement.
• “Dave... truly believes Michigan’s going to beat Ohio State this year” (Dave, 10:00) – storytelling around fan loyalty and team youthfulness.
• Michigan’s playoff path discussed (“They’d have to beat Ohio State on Thanksgiving, obviously.”)

5. Big Ten Realignment & West Coast Influence

[10:40-13:00]

• Pac-12 to Big Ten:

  • “My take was they’ll bring all the quarterbacks... The quality of quarterback in the Big 10 now...” (Casey, 10:40)
  • Praise for how West Coast teams elevate offense and QB play in the Big Ten.

• Riley, USC, and changing perceptions:

  • “I love Lincoln Riley... He just needs to find someone to help him with his defense.” (Dave, 11:33)
  • “I didn’t like that the Pac-12 fell apart, because right before it fell apart, you had a million quarterbacks in the league... It was the best Pac-12 season ever, and we’re having a funeral for it.” (Casey, 12:03-12:18)
  • Increased travel and loss of “regionality” lamented.

6. Kayce Smith’s Experience at Barstool Sports

[13:00-14:25]

• Vivid contrast from network TV:

  • “What’s going on? We don’t have production meetings?” (Dave, 13:30)
  • The “boys club” atmosphere at Barstool and Smith’s role as a trailblazer for women in sports content: “You were like their first, you were a big rock star for them.” (Casey, 14:12)

• The Barstool formula:

  • “It’s what you would talk about with your friends watching a game... We have to be professional then get to go yell at each other and tell each other we’re stupid.” (Dave & Casey, 14:25)
  • Kayce credits authenticity and the unique work/life blend at Barstool.

7. NFL Analysis: Rams-Seahawks, Stafford vs. Seattle, Special Teams

[20:30-24:46]

• Preview: Rams vs. Seahawks

  • “The Seahawks defense is feisty, they are coming to SoFi looking to make a statement.” (Casey, 20:58)
  • Stafford MVP candidacy discussed; home field not a big advantage at SoFi.

• Matchup keys:

  • “I just worry about... Adams, Puka... There’s no cheating on the run game with those two.” (Colin, 21:31)
  • “Seattle has not been generating the sacks in the last couple of weeks... Keep your eye on that.” (Casey, 22:19)

8. 49ers, Quarterback Rumblings, and Injury Report

[22:38-24:46]

• Brock Purdy returns:
  • “I feel really good, feel healthy, and excited to be back and ready to go and lead the guys...” (Brock Purdy, 23:02)
• Talk about media/fan pressure, quarterback controversies (“Is there a controversy here? Let’s say Brock Purdy loses to Arizona… Is there a developing situation?” (Colin, 23:43))
• Pearsall and Ayuk injury notes discussed.

9. MLB MVP Recap

[25:00-26:42]

• Ohtani & Judge MVPs:
  • “Ohtani is a unicorn historically... He’s just different than everybody else.” (Casey, 25:45)
  • “Judge is more than a great player... Hall of Fame lock.” (Colin, 25:40)
  • “Judge goes back to back like Michael Jordan!” (Colin, 25:35)

10. Tomorrow’s Headlines Today: NFL Picks & Previews (with J. Mac)

[32:35-41:18]

• Segment where rapid-fire headlines and storylines preview key upcoming NFL games:

  • Commanders vs. Dolphins
    • “I see nothing here for Washington that improves... Give me the Dolphins here, my biggest bet of the week.” (J. Mac, 33:34)
  • Bucs at Bills
    • "James Cook action... I think Tampa takes one on the chin here." (J. Mac, 35:39)
  • Chiefs at Broncos
    • “This is not last year’s Chiefs… I’m on an island here, Colin. Give me the Denver Broncos straight up taking down Andy Reid and the Chiefs.” (J. Mac, 35:46)
    • "Why is Patrick Mahomes struggling under pressure? I haven't heard the media talking about it because they love him." (J. Mac, 37:32)
  • Lions at Eagles
    • “I'm all over the Eagles here... I think the Eagles push around the Lions in the trenches.” (J. Mac, 38:27)
  • Raiders at Cowboys
    • "I don't see how this one's even close. The headline... Vegas strict poker, naked bootlegs fleece the Raiders." (J. Mac, 39:57)
    • “Geno Smith is a total pumpkin when it comes to primetime games. One and five straight up.” (J. Mac, 40:00)

11. Seattle’s Team-Building and Travel Advantage

[41:18-44:43]

• Deep dive into how Seattle builds through the draft and the importance of defense and run game for road success:
  • “When you can hit on draft picks and they’re highly productive their first, second, third years... That’s what Seattle’s done.” (Colin, 41:18)
  • “Seattle is fast everywhere... Your defense and your run games travel.” (Colin, 42:50)

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• On Texas A&M’s shift:
  “This team is playing for Mike Elko differently than I’ve ever seen them play for a coach in my entire life.” – Dave Wanstadt (05:31)

• On Alabama’s new look:
  “There’s something about these Alabama teams under Kalen DeBoer that just don’t look like they are as tough and as physical.” – Dave Wanstadt (07:11)

• On Lane Kiffin:
  “He’s the best at social media trolling, and these guys love that... but I think he’s a college coach. He fits the culture.” – Dave Wanstadt (08:18)

• On Barstool Sports Culture:
  “When it first started, it was like a boys club, it was a frat... and then you walked in.” – Casey Smith (13:00)

• On Ohtani:
  “He’s not just a pitcher. He’s an elite pitcher and an elite base stealer and an elite power hitter... Ohtani is just different than everybody else.” – Casey Smith (25:45)

• NFL Picks Antics:
  “Geno Smith is a total pumpkin when it comes to primetime games. One in five straight up, one in five against the spread.” – J. Mac (40:00)

TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS

• 04:25 – A&M’s legitimacy debate
• 06:38 – Alabama’s strengths and weaknesses under DeBoer
• 07:41 – Lane Kiffin: Is the NFL next?
• 09:27 – Michigan, Harbaugh successor talk
• 10:40 – Pac-12/Big Ten and QB play
• 13:00 – Kayce Smith on Barstool Sports’ culture
• 20:30 – Rams vs. Seahawks preview & Stafford/MVP talk
• 23:02 – Brock Purdy returns for the Niners
• 25:00 – Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge win MVPs
• 32:35 – “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” NFL segment
• 41:18 – Seattle’s team-building and road success

CONCLUSION

This episode delivers a blend of high-energy college football debate, inside perspectives on player and coach development, and detailed NFL game breakdowns. Kayce Smith’s firsthand experience provides an authentic lens on modern sports media, while “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” offers sharp, forward-leaning NFL takes. Throughout, Colin Cowherd’s conversational style makes the complex college football landscape and NFL matchups accessible, thought-provoking, and entertaining for diehard fans and casual listeners alike.