THE HERD - Hour 3 - Looking at the start of the NFL season, Packers getting Micah Parsons, will it get ugly in Miami, Albert Breer

Summary

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The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 (Sept 2, 2025)

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into the start of the NFL season with a focus on quarterback situations, significant trades—most notably the Packers acquiring Micah Parsons—a critical assessment of team cultures (with special attention to Dallas and Miami), and a wrap-up of a wild college football weekend. Colin is joined by Albert Breer (Monday Morning Quarterback), and the two engage in candid, analytical banter about NFL and NCAA trends, team-building philosophies, and the shifting power dynamics in football.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arch Manning's Rough Night & Quarterback Development

• Colin and Albert discuss the recent Ohio State vs. Texas game, focusing on Arch Manning’s struggles as a young quarterback.
• Colin’s Take: It’s premature to crown Arch Manning as a No. 1 draft pick after very limited experience. He notes:

  "Most teams will tell you the threshold is 25 starts." (04:06)

• Albert: Praises Ohio State's defensive scheme for giving no pre-snap indicators and making it near impossible for Arch to adjust.

  "That's one of the best things Ohio State did—was not giving Arch or Sark or anyone else in that Texas sideline any clue what was going to happen after the snap." (05:33)

• Both agree Manning showed fourth-quarter resilience despite a harsh environment and low support.

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2. Belichick’s Changing Approach – Personnel and the College Level

• Colin questions Bill Belichick's personnel decisions in both NFL and now at the college level.

  "The more control he had with his dog, his laptop in Nantucket in the draft, the less talent they had." (06:17)

• Albert: Points to Belichick’s old-school tendency to hire within his circle and lean into comfort instead of fresh innovation.

  "He's gotten into a point that Bill likes comfortable... that's not really what McVay does or Andy Reid does." (07:06)

• The two express genuine shock at how bad Belichick's new team looked, especially in the disastrous third quarter against TCU.

  "That looked like Bad News Bears–ish... I turned it off mid third quarter. It was so bad." (08:27)

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3. The Micah Parsons Trade: Dallas to Green Bay

• Albert: Applauds Dallas for flexibility, highlighting that Green Bay adds “icing on the cake,” while Dallas’s “cake’s in disarray." (09:43)
• Colin: Agrees, noting the logic—if you’re spending $47 million, you want a leader, not just a star athlete.
• Insight on Trade Details:
  • The key for Dallas was not just picks but specifically getting Kenny Clark, aiming to shift culture to a more mature, pro-oriented locker room (run defense focus, adult in room).

  "The player that they wanted...is Kenny Clark...because of the person, the leader, the pro he is." (11:40)

• Criticism: Both believe Dallas botched the timing; had they traded earlier (pre-draft), there would have been more suitors and instant roster help.
• Colin:

  "The biggest criticism I can have of them here is the timing of it." (13:01)

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4. Dire Forecast in Miami

• Discussion on Miami devolves into concerns about an aging, thin roster and whether Tyreek Hill not being named captain is a bad omen.
• Albert: "If I suggested to you a team started 0-2 or 0-3 and it could get ugly fast. Is Miami on that list?" (18:25)
• Colin: Explains how few Dolphins players are likely to be with the team in two years.

  "How many guys on Miami's roster could you name right now that you know are going to be there in 2027?" (18:49)

• Expectation: Miami’s core from the Tua rookie window is aging out, and a reset is imminent, especially if the season starts poorly.

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5. Bears, Vikings, and the NFC North

• Albert finds the Minnesota-Chicago matchup intriguing with fresh looks at J.J. McCarthy, Caleb Williams, and Ben Johnson’s offense. He predicts a modest outcome for the Bears, projecting 9 wins is optimistic given a brutal schedule and division.
• Colin: “If I’m a Chicago fan, what I’m looking for is an ascending team at the end of the year with a quarterback who’s playing well. I think if you get there, you feel really good about where you are under Ben Johnson.” (22:00)

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6. College Football – Weekend Recap & Big Picture

• Albert and Colin: Agree that conference realignment and NIL money are reshaping power. Texas schools surge while Alabama and the SEC face funding headwinds:

  "Nick Saban knew when he played Sark the first time, he's like, they're bigger than us and we don't have Texas money...Alabama has acknowledged they're struggling to keep up at 12 million a year on NIL.” (28:34)

• They note the impact on Alabama's and Clemson's struggles.
• USC, Michigan, Oklahoma: Banter on which blue bloods are really “back,” with Colin voicing concern for Michigan and touting USC’s run game. (29:58)
• AP Top 25 is discussed, with Ohio State, Penn State, LSU at the top, and Alabama at its lowest ranking since 2008.

  "The Buckeyes are number one, 55 votes, Penn State two. It’s a Big Ten world, we just live in it." (34:59)

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7. NFL Early Season: The Receiver Market & Quarterback Contracts

• Bills vs. Ravens: Both agree Buffalo should win the opener; discuss Bills’ lack of “clear #1 receiver.”

  "I think the league is slowly shifting away from wide receivers.” (31:46)

• Teams like KC, Chargers, Ravens, and Bills serve as case studies in shifting payroll structures away from WRs.
• 49ers cap future: Skepticism over how they'll build around Brock Purdy’s big contract; concern over depth and the impact of high-profile misses like Trey Lance.

  “You just have to draft better. You can’t whiff on...Trey Lance.” (33:39)

• Praise for “the duo” of Shanahan and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, perhaps the best coaching tandem in the league.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Manning Discourse:

  "There's so much that you got to build up as far as the library in your head if you're a young quarterback to be ready for the pros...there just wasn't enough that anyone knew about Arch Manning to anoint him again a first round pick." – Colin Cowherd (04:06)

• On Belichick in the College Ranks:

  “I don’t remember seeing a Bill Belichick team look that way…for whatever reason it happened. I’ve been really curious to see how Belichick’s program would look when it’s applied to younger kids…last night didn’t look great.” – Albert Breer (09:05)

• On Dallas’ Locker Room Shift:

  “If you’re going to spend 47 million, I need a leader in the clubhouse…I need the best guy in the training facility. That’s not what Micah is.” – Albert Breer (09:48)
  “The key to me was the player that they wanted. The player they asked for is Kenny Clark…because of the person, the leader, the pro that he is.” – Albert Breer (11:40)

• On Miami Reset:

  “If things go poorly at the start of the year, then yeah, I think you could definitely see where maybe some of the questions that’ll be asked after the year get accelerated.” – Colin Cowherd (20:36)

• On the Changing CFB Landscape:

  “The SEC is fine, but the two NIL powerhouses are both the Texas schools—A&M and the Longhorns. Why? Because the Texas economy. This is why.” – Colin Cowherd (28:24)

• On the NFL’s WR Market:

  “I think the league is slowly shifting away from wide receivers.” – Colin Cowherd (31:46)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Arch Manning/Ohio State Game Recap: 03:11 – 06:17
• Belichick’s Personnel Decisions: 06:17 – 09:32
• Dallas-Green Bay Trade – Micah Parsons: 09:32 – 13:16
• Miami Dolphins Outlook: 17:52 – 20:45
• Bears/Vikings/NFC North Analysis: 20:45 – 23:12
• College Football – Weekend & NIL: 28:20 – 31:00
• AP Poll & Michigan/Oklahoma: 34:56 – 36:10
• NFL WR Market & Roster Building: 31:18 – 34:56
• 49ers/Brock Purdy Payroll Impact: 32:42 – 34:37

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Closing Notes

This episode, rich with beat writer insight, is a must-listen for fans following the shifting patterns in college and pro football. The Herd continues its signature: balancing hot takes with grounded, long-term franchise analysis, all delivered in Colin and Albert’s respectful, energetic banter.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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[Albert Breer]

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[Albert Breer]

Now let's get this party started.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

[Albert Breer]

Well, he's a senior reporter for Monday Morning Quarterback. And I saw that, I saw a picture on the sidelines where Albert Breer, a dogged reporter, big J Journalism, is out there with Jimmy Haslam. And he had no idea that he was actually looking ahead to the 2027 draft. And Julian saying he thought he went there for Arch Manning, but the better quarterback was the Ohio State kid. So I mean, listen, this is interesting because I said watching television, I defended Ohio State. I said, listen, if I'm Ryan Day and I'm watching how uncomfortable Arch is, I'm not taking any big swings unless I get to midfield, which they did. I'm like, you could just tell body language. Julian was comfortable, Arch was not. So I, I'll defend Ohio State to the ends of the earth. You were there. Did you notice early how uncomfortable Arch felt?

[Colin Cowherd]

It looked like he didn't know exactly what he was looking at, which is, I think, part of the equation for a young quarterback. And this is why I always thought it was silly to anoint him the number one pick in the draft after two starts. I mean, most teams will tell you the threshold is 25 starts. That's where they want a kid at, at a baseline coming in the, coming into the NFL if they're going to be able to translate what they did in college to the pro level. And the reason why is because of the things that Arch lacks. You know, the amount of defenses you've seen, the ability of defenses to adjust to you after you put five or six games on tape. How do you counter punch? You know, it's just there's so much that you got to build up as far as the library in your head if you're a young quarterback to be ready for the pros. It's just there, there just wasn't enough that anyone knew about Arch Manning to anoint him again a first round pick, let alone the first overall pick in the draft. And I think the Mannings knew that, which is one of the reasons why they tamped down expectations. And Arch is a pretty self aware kid who understood that as well. And look, this is what he was up against on Saturday. A defense that may have a handful of first round picks on it, a coordinator who's won Super Bowls running defenses in the NFL and absolutely zero tape on what he was going to do to anyone at the college level. You know, so the Texas Longhorns came in there flying blind. You had a young quarterback going in there without any idea what Ohio State was going to, was going to throw at him. And you know, in this particular spot before the snap gave no indications at all. You know, like that's one of the best things Ohio State did was not giving Arch or Sark or anyone else in that Texas sideline any clue what was going to happen after the snap, before the snap. And so it's a really tough circumstance for a young quarterback to walk into. Like one of the. That may be the loudest I've ever heard that stadium. So you add that into it and I think we can have some grace here for Arch Manning. I think he's going to be just, just fine. I think in the fourth quarter he actually showed some resilience and making some big time throws. One for the touchdown, of course, then the other to the tight end down the left sideline. They're near the end of the game.

[Albert Breer]

So listen, I, I said this. The last six or seven years in, when Belichick was in New England is. I don't know how good he is at personnel when, you know, the, the, the more control he had with his dog, his laptop in Nantucket in the draft, the less talent they had. Brady was in just, I mean Brady was visibly disappointed in his last couple years. Nobody could get open and then he goes to the college level and I didn't see a lot of talent last night for Carolina. You got three Belichicks on the staff, Mike Lombardi, son. I'm not saying they're not capable, but he's gotten into a point that Bill likes comfortable. Yeah, he wants to work with certain people. Well, Albert, that's not really what McVeigh does or Andy Reid does. Like, I, I was shocked how bad last night looked. Were you?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Well, I think there are two things really here to, to, to look at. I mean, the first thing is you're right, like you look at the end in New England, he became a trusting of his scouts, which I think is when he started to take on more on the more of the draft onto himself. And that's when he started overruling people, you know, drafting, you know, drafting Nikhil Harry in 2019 over the scouts who liked Debo Samuel or A.J. brown drafting, you know, drafting Cole Strange in 2022 over the scouts pick which would have been at the time. Trent McDuffie. There were lots of stories like that at the end of New England. And so, yeah, I mean, I think that that's definitely part of it. You're turning over so much of the roster. I mean, 70 new players, and we're not talking about 25, 26, 27 year olds coming in. We're talking about 19, 20, 21 year olds. How does that all look when you try to put it together? You can ask Dion about that. Dion did that two years ago at Colorado. And they went what, 4 and 8? You know, and then last year, obviously it looked better once you had some continuity. And then there's just the look of the whole thing. And this was the thing that surprised me, Colin. It wasn't that they lost. I thought they'd lose. I thought TCU was going to beat them because I think TCU is a better program right now. What surprised me was what the third quarter looked like. Like that looked like Bad News Bears. Ish. And maybe I'm dating myself a little bit there with that reference. But no, I mean, like, I turned.

[Albert Breer]

It off mid third quarter. I turned it off. It was so bad.

[Colin Cowherd]

It was. I mean, like it was the 75 yard run right out of the locker room, right for a touchdown. Then TCU converts a third and 20 with a throw right down Main street, you know, to that tight end. And they convert that third and 20. And then on the very next play, another long touchdown run. This one for 28 yards untouched. That running back, that no North Carolina player laid a hand on that running back. And then almost immediately after that, you had the fumble, scoop and score. It's just. It wasn't that they got beat. It wasn't even the margin. It was the look of it there in the third quarter that really, like. I mean, wow. Like that. Like, I just don't remember seeing a Bill Belichick team look that way. And for whatever reason it happened. I mean, they've obviously got a lot to clean up. They've got some time to do it. But, like, I've been really curious to see how Belichick's program would look when it's applied to younger kids to 19, 20, 21 year olds. And obviously last night didn't look great.

[Albert Breer]

So I went the other way. I would have either signed or moved Micah a year ago. I'm going to give the Cowboys a credit for flexibility.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Albert Breer]

That their cake's not made Green Bay. Micah's icing. The cake's great.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Albert Breer]

Dallas, the cakes in Disarray. And I think if you're going to spend 47 million, I need a leader in the clubhouse. I need a great locker room guy. I need the best guy in the training facility. That's not what Micah is. I like four first round picks. One of them next year I'm drafting a quarterback. Dallas got crushed by everybody. I, I wasn't deeply bothered by it. Were you?

[Colin Cowherd]

I think I'm in alignment with you on this and that. Like, my biggest problem with it was the timing. Yeah. You know, like you said, like I. They started to have these big picture conversations in April after, you know, the negotiation there with Micah failed. And like, I agree with what they've done here with the big picture conversation they were having, which was we are, I think it's top 10, maybe top eight in the NFL and wins over the last 30 years, yet we have not been to a conference title game in that period, which is the third longest drought in the NFL right now. Only the Dolphins and Browns haven't been to a conference championship game over a longer period. So I think it caused them to look inward, you know, and how come we've been pretty good, but we're not great and we've never able to put it over the top. And I think some of that reflection brought them to a place where it was, if we trade Micah, what are we going to do with that? And like the answer became like, let's lean into what Brian Schottenheimer is trying to build. He's used this phrase, the greatest culture in professional sports. Now maybe that's hyperbole, but that's what he's looking to build. And I think that's reflected in the trade. Right. Like they had a half dozen teams that were involved and, you know, so they wind up, you know, picking the packers package, which had the two first round picks. But really, like the key to me was the player that they selected, the player that they wanted. The player that they asked for is Kenny Clark. And the packers were a little surprised by that. Just in that, like, wouldn't you ask for an edge player? Wouldn't you ask for a Van Ness or a, or, or, or a Rashawn Gary, you know, and the answer I got when I asked Alice about that was we wanted to help the run defense, which they've said. But they also wanted to bring in a pro, like a grown up and Kenny Clark. I can tell you the packers were heartbroken to let him go. Now they had to do this, right? But they were heartbroken to let him go. And that's because of the person, the leader, the pro that he is. And that's what Dallas is leaning into now. So this is sort of a bigger reimagination of what they are that they think is going to be, that they think is going to work to empower guys like Dak Prescott in the locker room and look like. I think the biggest criticism I can have of them here is the timing of it. Because if you do this before the draft a, there are more teams involved because at this point in the calendar, teams have their roster set, their budget set, their cap set. It's harder for that, for teams to get involved in something like this. So you're going to have a bigger pool of candidates looking at Micah Parsons if you do this in April and you'll also have one of those players on your roster now. Like if you, if you, if you're trading for a first round pick in April, well then that guy is on your team right now. So I think you can definitely criticize them for the timing of it. They could have elevated things back in April and brought those tension points back then where, you know, you find out whether or not Mike is going to be signable or not. And then you know, you have a bigger pool of teams that you're picking from and you're going to have another player on your roster that you don't now. But the big picture stuff I actually think is pretty sound.

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[Albert Breer]

Okay, so I don't think Matt Moseley told me this a while back. He said Jerry doesn't have a ton of respect for coaches and you can see it and who he's let go and who he's. He tends to hire guys that need him, you know, like.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Albert Breer]

That don't have a lot of offers. And I think that was a fair commentary. So I think for the year, Brian Schottenheimer's safe. I don't think it's going to be good. The Miami situation. Tyreek Hill not named captain. If I, if I suggested to you a team started 0 and 2 or 03 and it could get ugly fast. Is Miami on that list?

[Colin Cowherd]

Miami's interesting because I think there's a chance that they crater a little bit. I just look at their roster. Colin, and I may have said this to you before, but I like to do this thing where when I look at a team's roster, I say, who's going to be there two years from now? Right. How many guys on Miami's roster could you name right now that you know are going to be there in 2027?

[Albert Breer]

Wow. Not.

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean, I think, I think, I think Jalen Waddle will be there in 2027. I think chop Robinson will be there in 2027. Can you name him? Name another one maybe to, like, there just aren't a lot. Right.

[Albert Breer]

I could see them moving to, to get draft picks and start over. I really could.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. So I mean, like that list is really short because of, you know, some of the things that have happened with some of their older players and they've moved on from some guys. And you know, I think that, that, that core that they built for that, the window that you have with, with Tua's rookie contract, that they aged out, you know, and so now they're in this sort of subtle reset where they, you know, they've got Patrick Paul, a second round pick from, from last year at left tackle. And you know, on the edges they, they had the older guys, Chubb and Phillips get hurt. Jalen Ramsey's gone. Toronto, Armstead's gone. You know, they're just sort of in this, in this, in this reset.

[Albert Breer]

Oh, by the way, New England maybe the most improved team in the league. So the division now has.

[Colin Cowherd]

And the jets have talent. So the jets have talent. So I just look at this like you're going through this reset now and I love Mike McDaniel as, as, as, as a coach, as an offensive mind. But if you are going to go into a more thorough rebuild after this year.

[Albert Breer]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Like then you're starting to act, you're starting to ask big picture questions like who's going to lead the rebuild, you know, and, and, and this, you know, involves a general manager too. Like, I think those are all big picture questions that you're asking if you're going through a reset. And I think this is the front end of their reset. So Mike McDaniel just signed an extension last year, so it's not going to be, it's not nothing to, to walk away from him, but if things go poorly at the start of the year, then yeah, I mean, I think you could definitely see where maybe some of the questions that'll be asked after the year get accelerated a little bit.

[Albert Breer]

Okay. And finally, Albert Brear, Monday morning quarterback. I said, the Minnesota Chicago game is so fascinating. I don't know what J.J. mcCarthy is. I cannot wait to watch Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. I think Minnesota's got a better roster. I'd probably take them as a favorite. I. About before I went on my very brief vacation. J. Mac. Very brief labor.

[Colin Cowherd]

Lovely this time of year too.

[Albert Breer]

I said, if you look at that schedule, they don't do well in division. The Bears haven't done well in division in over a decade. I said, I'll give them three and three in division. I'll give them three and three and I got nine wins out of this puppy. There's some, there's some unwinnable games at Philadelphia is rough at Baltimore, listen, I mean, there's just. There's a lot.

[Colin Cowherd]

San Francisco at the end of the year, when they're young players have grown up a little bit. Stuff.

[Albert Breer]

Yeah, I, I was positive. Colin, I gave him nine. Where are you with them? When you look at that, where are you? And I thought I was. I said 500. In Division, they don't do that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I mean, it's a tough division for sure. Like, I think you look at that schedule, you're playing the AFC north, which is a really tough draw. Right? Like. So, Yeah, I mean, like, if you're the Bears, I think the idea is going to be we're ascending by the end of the year. And so what does that mean? Well, that means you've got your tackle situation worked out. Right. Like, you got you figured out whether your left tackle is Braxton Jones or Ozzie Tripillo or Darnell Wright moving over from right to left. Caleb Williams is starting to play well in Ben Johnson's offense. You figured that out? He's playing fast. He's getting the ball out. Roma Dunze is evolving into a legitimate number one receiver. Luther Burden's giving you something on offense, and Dennis Allen has the defense rolling. You figured out the edge opposite Montez Sweat with a combination of different guys. So I think there is a world where you can get them over.500. But because of the division that they play in, it's a tough ask. And because of the schedule they have, again, it's a tough ask. Having to play the other North Division makes it difficult. So I would say, like, if I'm a Chicago fan, what I'm looking for is an ascending team at the end of the year with a quarterback who's playing well. I think if you get there, you feel really good about where you are under Ben Johnson.

[Albert Breer]

Yeah, they. They got some tough roadies. Great stuff. Albert Brear. Both of us, by the way, spend a little bit of our summer in the Northeast, but the minute the fall smell comes back, the sunset shortening, Brer and I are back to journalism. No messing around.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's right. Only business here, Colin.

[Albert Breer]

That's right. We stand on business. Albert Brer and myself, Monday morning quarterback. Good seeing you, buddy.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right. Thanks, Colin.

[Albert Breer]

Yeah, that. Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami, Clemson, LSU was a clunker last night, but we had a heck of a weekend. God, that was good. Little worried about Michigan. Little word. I don't like what I see with Michigan.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Too much vacationing for you? Michigan is going to be fine.

[Albert Breer]

Okay, we'll see. Live in la. It's the Herd.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am.

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[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Podcast Network Saturday on Baseball Night in America. Jose Altuve in the Astros fight for the AL west crown against the Rangers. Or the Giants take on the Cardinals. Or it's Twins Royals. Check local listings for the game in your area. Saturday 7 Eastern on Fox.

[Albert Breer]

I'm telling you, that college football schedule over delivered this weekend over delivered. Clemson, lsu. I thought Clemson at home. Cabe Klutnick would. You'd be like, oh, okay, they'll win by 10. Alabama complete no show. And here's the thing. Can I throw my theory out? What's happened? So the SEC is fine, but the 2 nil powerhouses are both the Texas schools A and M and the Longhorns. Why? Because the Texas economy. This is why. Nick Saban. Nick Saban knew when he played Sark the first time, he's like, they're bigger than us and we don't have Texas money. We got Alabama money. I mean the biggest booster I think in Alabama is Bear Bryant's son. So they don't have the kind of money. When you looked at Alabama, they're big, but they didn't look extraordinary. They could not run the ball. They quit running the ball. Florida State had better players. And so Florida State has always been super talented. Like, like say what you want. They, they had a little tizzy fit a couple years ago, but Florida State's a good program. Bobby Bowden on Norvell, they're good coaches. But I'm, I'm looking at Alabama. You can't fire Kalyn DeBoer. You have to be a $70 million check and then you have to spend another 80 to get the next coach. Alabama has acknowledged they're struggling to keep up at 12 million a year on nil. They don't have that kind of money.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

They have the best, one of the best left tackles in college football. And Proctor, he's projected to be like a top 10 pick and they couldn't run the football at all. Kind of not good. By the way, you mentioned the schedule. So the best game this weekend, there's only one that I can tell with the top 25. Michigan. Oklahoma in Norman.

[Albert Breer]

I like, I like Oklahoma.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Oklahoma's favorite by five and a half.

[Albert Breer]

Yeah, I like Oklahoma. Worried about Michigan. Plus they have. Don't know if you've seen USC's run game. Seriously? Okay, I'll just say. Not gonna go crazy on this. I want to be a journalist. But just check out the running back room at USC this year. Seriously. What does it go 13 deep? Let's get putting new guys in and knocking 10 yards of carry. J. Mack with the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no, no.

[Albert Breer]

Turn on the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is the Herd line news back.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

On the USC bandwagon.

[Albert Breer]

Love it.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Let's get started with Josh Allen. Collin, he was the MVP last season. Came up a little short against the Chiefs and the referees in the AFC Championship game. Entering the season, obviously it's super bowl or bust for Buffalo. Vegas has the Bills favored in all 17 games. They are tied for the best super bowl odds with the Ravens at plus 600. Colin, where are you? Bill's Ravens, by the way, in the opener, which is the best game of the first weekend, Please.

[Albert Breer]

I would take Buffalo. It's at home. I, I, you know, whoever was home, I would take him in that game. Well, I, I think that's, I think that's as good as any game this week. And I think if I said to you upset alert. I really worry about the Rams. The left tackle just started practicing against Will Anderson. Trouble.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Let me go back real quick to the Bills. So we're told it's a wide receiver league right now.

[Albert Breer]

Yeah.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Who's the best Receiver on the Bills.

[Albert Breer]

Slot receiver from Boise State.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Shakir.

[Albert Breer]

Yeah, that's it. Well, they got the Keon Coleman from last year.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Come on, what is he has.

[Albert Breer]

They have two very good tight ends. James Cook is happy and I'm just.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Everybody loves wide receivers. You got to pay Justin Jefferson and Jamar Chase. I, I think the league is slowly shifting away from wide receivers.

[Albert Breer]

Well, I mean, you could argue Kansas City, the Chargers, the Bills and the Ravens are feel like they. I mean, Kansas City. I can't say that Raiders have gone to the run game.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Well, the, the, the Chargers wide receiver depth chart. I think they just announced it. And Keenan Allen, who was like not even on a team three months ago, is now back starting.

[Albert Breer]

Well, the running game, the renaissance, it's. There's clearly a pivot at least in the afc. Back to the run. Well, Detroit drafting Jameer Gibbs. They're a run team first, by the way.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

The packers don't have a clear one. They've got a lot of good receivers, and I think that's the new model. We don't want to pay one guy like the Bengals are stuck paying two guys all of the money. They don't have balance. And I think that would be my thing. Look at the Bills if they win the super bowl this year without a wide receiver. I think it's really interesting. Let's move on to a certain Niners quarterback. Brock Purdy, your boy, he enters the season. He's now rich. He's rich. Rich.

[Albert Breer]

I want you to read this. Read this headline. It's interesting story developing.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Well, okay, so the athletic, your favorite.

[Albert Breer]

Excellent, excellent. Athletics. A very trustable company.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

So they are reporting. Rival executives are skeptical the Niners can build around Purdy making all of that money. So easiest schedule in the league.

[Albert Breer]

They'll be fine this year, but the division is getting tasty. Arizona is probably.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Arizona's on the uptick.

[Albert Breer]

I'll tell you, my favorite pick of the weekend may be Arizona. Now the number's gone up to like six and a half. Arizona's gonna thump the Saints.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Well, they're in New Orleans. Yeah. Against Kellen Moore and who? Dats Rattler.

[Albert Breer]

Dats trailing 27. 3. That's who it is.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

But in all seriousness. So they move off Debo Samuel. They did pay Iuk, but he's going to be out for like, at least the first six weeks. I. I don't have as much concern about this. You just have to draft better. You can't whiff on. On like Trey Lance.

[Albert Breer]

They whiffed on him No, I mean, yeah. And I think I felt like the last couple years Shanahan has had a lot of say in personnel. I don't necessarily love it.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

By the way, the fantasy guys out there love Pearsall this year. Where are you on the young guy who didn't show much last year, but he's a two. Okay. Juwan Jennings.

[Albert Breer]

I, I, he's a two. George Kittle, he's an all world first ballot hall of Famer.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Did I mention McCaffrey is healthy and ready to rock?

[Albert Breer]

They're going to win games. I'm not denying that. But you're, you're talking about a team defensively. When Boses misses three games, it is Fred Warner. And a lot of and a lot.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Of meh in Robert Salah. I trust by the way, his jets defenses were great. That wasn't the problem.

[Albert Breer]

I like.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

He's awesome.

[Albert Breer]

I like Salah. Major upgrade at coordinator defense.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Who's got a better 12 punch of coaches than Shanahan and Salah? Not a lot of guys.

[Albert Breer]

Minnesota's got the best staff, but they're up there.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

I love Kevin o'.

[Albert Breer]

Connell.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Kenny, what a playoff game before we. Brian Flores gets run out of Miami because he fights for this quarter. Can we just take a deep breath? Just like me with Arch Manning. Final story is college football. Colin, it was an Outstanding week one and the new AP top 24.

[Albert Breer]

Let me see.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

This is out. It just came out. Hot off the presses.

[Albert Breer]

All right.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

The Buckeyes are number one, 55 votes, Penn State two. It's, it's a Big Ten world. We just live in it. LSU vaults to three after the win at Clemson. Yeah, let's see here. Texas only slides down to seven, which is a little surprised. Clemson only at eight after losing at home.

[Albert Breer]

Illinois a little low.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

You like Illinois a lot.

[Albert Breer]

I think Florida State deserves more respect.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Than that for the win over Alabama. Yeah, you're probably right. Anything surprise you there? By the way, you have to look down to 21 to see your guy. Kaylin DeBoer at Alabama.

[Albert Breer]

Well, they're not getting rid of him. All that Sabin, they're definitely not getting rid of. Not getting rid of him.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Also hot off the presses, we have a full screen comparing Saban to deboer. Listen, I know you're going to pile on Alabama.

[Albert Breer]

I'm not piling on. I'm being reasonable.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Colin, the under 500 is highlighted. Saban was never under.500 at any point, but remember, a couple bad losses.

[Albert Breer]

Nick Saban knew when to get out.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

That'S half the battle.

[Albert Breer]

The Nil exploded and he knows Bama doesn't have that kind of money.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Colin. Nick Saban, in 17 seasons, had four unranked losses. Caleb DeBoer already has four. Like, they're coming for him big time.

[Albert Breer]

Well, the Nil has actually saved SEC coaches. You can't bail on these guys. Alabama cannot afford 150 million in firing one staff and hiring another. They cannot afford it. They can't. If they. I don't know where it's coming from. Their. Their athletic director was basically saying six months ago, we really need the help of our fan base.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Forget the fans. What about the players? Nick Saban put a billion guys in the NFL. You can't hit up Derrick Henry for some. For some money. What about all those wide receivers getting paid? Like they have so many guys. Alabama's not giving back.

[Albert Breer]

Let me look at that. Let me look at that again. When's the last time Miami kids, Florida and Florida State were all in the.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Top 15, 26 preseason.

[Albert Breer]

How about that? I think Florida State's a little undervalued there. South Carolina is interesting. I watched that quarterback. He's pretty close.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

I love the kid Sellers. Yeah, I like him with the Jets. Florida Gators have such a brutal schedule. They have landmines everywhere. But I think it's optimistic.

[Albert Breer]

I cannot wait. Once again, where's USC? Scored 73 points.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Who. Who did they play? Directional University.

[Albert Breer]

It was a very pesky program from one of the states in the middle of the country.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Yeah, maybe like North Dakota State or something.

[Albert Breer]

No, I think it was in. I don't know where it was.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

You say Roast Beef Tech.

[Albert Breer]

I think it was Missouri. Missouri's a good football state, so, you know, it was a good program. They beat Missouri State. Is it southwest Missouri State or was just Missouri State? All right.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Somebody told me Sisters of the Blind, but I'm not certain that's Alabama's lowest.

[Albert Breer]

Ranking since 2008, and I'm sure they're taking it well.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

I mean, it wasn't a close game. That's the problem.

[Albert Breer]

It was a beat down.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

I think you called me in the middle of that and you were like, are you watching this? I was like, no, I'm. I expected Alabama.

[Albert Breer]

It wasn't even. They could. They couldn't move the ball.

[Commercial Announcer]

J. Mac with the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, that's the news.

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And thanks for stopping by the Herd line.

[Albert Breer]

I'm going to say this. I think Ohio State win is more impressive than they're getting credit for because I think Julian Sands a really good, talented kid and look really comfortable. But I think Ryan Day was on that sideline because I could see this and you could see this on tv. I think he was on that sideline and he was watching the first two series. He was watching Arch Manning's feet and body language and motion and he, and they were getting a couple of bad field position possessions and I think, I think he's like, guys, I think Ryan Day after the second series just said, we don't need to take, let's, let's alter our game plan. Let's go super conservative here. And I think it was the right day, right move. And Ryan Day came on earlier and he admitted they went a little conservative with their quarterback.

[Ryan Day]

As, you know, Julian, you know, matures, you know, we'll, we'll start, you know, opening it up, but we didn't want to turn the ball over down there and put our defense in a bad spot. And that's one of the first things in our plan to win is play great defense. And a part of playing great defense is sometimes making sure you play the field position game. Now we don't love that. You know, in terms of, you know, we want to be explosive, we want to open this thing up, we want to score a ton of points which, which, you know. But at the end of the day, the number one goal in a game like this was to win.

[Albert Breer]

And yeah, they did. I thought he was really good. It's funny, lost in that game was how good Julian sand was very composed. I don't know. You know, listen, you can defend Ohio State differently than last year because Ohio State's running back room last year was insane. It's like Penn State's is this year or Notre Dame's is this year. So it was really hard. You couldn't cheat on Ohio State. So I don't think Jeremiah Smith is going to be. You're gonna have to figure out ways to use him, put him in motion, different sets because people are gonna just roll coverage over. Texas certainly did. But I thought Ohio State's win was impressive.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

I gotta chime in here, Colin. I'm sorry, I just looked at the box score. You said Julian saying had a great game.

[Albert Breer]

Like he didn't say great game. He looked in that space against world class athletes. I thought he and the world was watching. I thought he looked very comfortable. Good feet, good mechanics, very consistent.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

He was 13 of 20 for 126 yards, 6.3 yards per attempt. I mean, again, he was, he had.

[Albert Breer]

Two drops and he had bad field position. Yeah, no, he don't blame it all on him. I thought he looked composed and that's all I was caring about.

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[Albert Breer]

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[Colin Cowherd]

This is an I Heart podcast.