The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Guest Host: Doug Gottlieb)

Hour 3 | November 28, 2025
Theme: NFL Dominance, Cowboys Resurgence, College Football Playoff Picture, and Betting Previews

Episode Overview

This episode sees Doug Gottlieb filling in for Colin Cowherd and steering a fast-paced hour covering NFL media dominance, the changing narrative around the Dallas Cowboys, and a deep dive into college football’s pivotal rivalry weekend—including expert betting analysis from Jared Smith. The team also unpacks upcoming playoff drama, coaching rumors, and memorable Thanksgiving/holiday moments in sports.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. NFL’s Unprecedented Media Dominance

[03:17 - 08:07]

• Doug Gottlieb opens by remarking on how the NFL has successfully taken over every holiday and major media space, expanding from broadcast TV to streaming platforms with consistently massive viewership.
• He credits Roger Goodell for redefining the commissioner's role, not by focusing on the quality of play, but by maximizing the league’s financial reach:

  “Roger Goodell is the best that’s ever done it… They’re on every network and now most streaming platforms, they’ve taken over the holidays… All of it makes money. His job is to make the owners money and he’s done his job incredibly well.”
  — Doug Gottlieb [05:16]

• Jason Stewart draws a unique analogy, comparing the NFL’s approach to that of U2’s Zooropa album—testing how much fans will consume even if the product isn’t its best:

  “My theory with Zooropa is it was U2 and their management saying, ‘We are so popular right now, let’s see if we just put out crap music, how many people will buy it.’ I think the NFL has been in that phase for the last two or three years.”
  — Jason Stewart [07:02]

2. Dallas Cowboys: Shedding the ‘Overhyped’ Label

[08:07 – 13:12]

• Doug argues the Cowboys are no longer the league’s most overhyped or hateable team; they’ve performed well, beaten top teams, and deserve credit:

  “If we’re honest with ourselves… you can no longer hate on the three most hateable teams. Cowboys… this is a team that’s overachieving, a quarterback who’s playing to the level he’s compensated, and Jerry Jones and his staff have done a good job of retrofitting this team… It’s time to eat our words on the Cowboys.”
  — Doug Gottlieb [13:12]

• He likens the Cowboys’ narrative shift to those of Notre Dame and Duke, historically targets for media and fan schadenfreude, but now respected for sustained performance.

3. College Football Rivalry & Playoff Preview with Jared Smith

[21:01 – 35:52]

Rapid Picks & Deep Dives:

• Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State (“Egg Bowl”):
  • Smith favors Ole Miss RB Lacey over rushing yards and credits the trio of Hardy, Hardy, and Lacey as the best backs in college football.

  “I don’t think Lacey gets talked about enough. His prop number at 120.5 was pretty appetizing.”
  — Jared Smith [21:49]

• Georgia vs. Georgia Tech:
  • Georgia’s offense should dominate due to Tech’s weak defense, but Smith advises caution laying large point spreads in rivalry games.
  • “I do feel like Georgia is going to win this game. Maybe a team total over for Georgia… Georgia Tech gets through the back door late.”
    — Jared Smith [23:04]
• Texas A&M vs. Texas:
  • Arch Manning’s improved form is noted, but Texas’ O-line struggles continue. Smith likes A&M’s defense, especially linebacker Torian York.
  • Suggests “Marcel Reed passing yards over prop.”
• Ohio State vs. Michigan:
  • Smith picks Ohio State as more physical this year, thanks to a balanced offense featuring freshman Bo Jackson.

  “Defense will be the theme of this game though… I think Ohio State is this year the more physical team and I think that’s why they win and probably cover.”
  — Jared Smith [28:15]

• Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee:
  • Predicts a shootout; Vanderbilt wins with QBs Aguilar and Pavia both rated highly.
• LSU vs. Oklahoma:
  • Defensive slugfest expected due to LSU’s dire offense and Oklahoma’s top-5-ranked defense.
• Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn):
  • Smith sees a “battle”—Bama ekes out a win but worries about their recent offensive trends.

Notable Quotes from the Segment

• “You could see Aguilar being absolutely electric in this game… and on the other side, Pavia might deserve to be in New York [for Heisman consideration].”
  — Jared Smith on Vandy-Tennessee [28:41]
• “Whoever turns it over last, Doug, I think is going to win this game. I trust obviously [Bama QB] Simpson more than I do [Auburn QB] Daniels. But man, I don’t like the way Bama’s looked.”
  — Jared Smith on the Iron Bowl [35:34]

4. Coaching Drama & Playoff Seeding

[36:13 – 39:18]

• Jason Stewart explores the Lane Kiffin rumors, asking how playoff seeding should reflect a coach’s departure.
• Doug argues that if Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss before the playoff, it should impact their seed:

  "Is Ole Miss as good a team if Lane Kiffin’s not there? No. That’s why everybody’s fighting over him. I have no problem knocking them down a seed."
  — Doug Gottlieb [38:48]

5. NFL News Roundup

[39:18 – 42:14]

• Aaron Rodgers’ Final Run:
  • Speculation if this is Rodgers’ last NFL season, Doug says most legends go out quietly and media coverage is restrained out of respect:

    "Most guys on that last year kind of go out with a whimper. ... Nobody wants to say he’s washed up because that’s just not what’s done with legends."
    — Doug Gottlieb [40:05]

• Texans QB Decision:
  • Stewart questions whether C.J. Stroud should return when Davis Mills is on a heater; Doug insists you play your franchise QB:

    "C.J. Stroud’s the quarterback. ... They’re all in on their quarterback."
    — Doug Gottlieb [41:53]

6. Memorable NFL Thanksgiving Moments

[42:22 – 43:59]

• Discussion of Bengals’ postgame turkey tradition and Joe Burrow’s refusal to eat the turkey:

  “I didn’t touch it. I don’t know who made it. I don’t know where they made it. I’m good.”
  — Joe Burrow (quoted) [42:39]

• Doug says it’s not about who made it, but food safety after hours on the field.

7. Best for Last: Thanksgiving & Holiday Movie Picks

[51:21 – 55:44]

• Jason introduces a list of non-Christmas holiday movies to watch before December truly sets in:
  • Scent of a Woman
  • Grumpy Old Men
  • You’ve Got Mail
  • Planes, Trains and Automobiles (unanimous classic)
• Doug and Jason relish Planes, Trains and Automobiles, recalling favorite lines and John Hughes’ mastery of the genre.
• Quick digression into The Running Man remake and the perennial “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” debate.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:17–08:07] NFL Eats the Holidays — “Goodell’s greatest success”
• [08:07–13:12] Cowboys Resurgence — “Overhyped no more”
• [21:01–35:52] College Football Bets with Jared Smith — Rivalry games breakdowns
• [36:13–39:18] Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss/Playoff seeding implications
• [39:18–42:14] NFL News: Rodgers’ swan song, Texans QB dilemma
• [42:22–43:59] Thanksgiving Traditions: Burrow skips on turkey
• [51:21–55:44] Best for Last: Non-Christmas holiday movies

Memorable Quotes

• “Roger Goodell is the best that’s ever done it… All of it makes money. His job is to make the owners money and he’s done his job incredibly well.”
  — Doug Gottlieb [05:16]

• “Let’s see if we just put out crap music, how many people will buy it. I think the NFL has been in that phase for the last two or three years.”
  — Jason Stewart on NFL’s content strategy [07:02]

• “It’s time to eat our words on the Cowboys.”
  — Doug Gottlieb [13:12]

• “You could argue that Aguilar and Pavia have had as good of a year as Julian Sayin.”
  — Jared Smith [28:41]

• “Whoever turns it over last, Doug, I think is going to win this game.”
  — Jared Smith on Iron Bowl [35:34]

• “I didn’t touch [the turkey]… I don’t know who made it. I don’t know where they made it. I’m good.”
  — Quoting Joe Burrow [42:39]

Tone & Style

The episode combines Doug Gottlieb’s authoritative yet conversational style with Jason Stewart’s witty banter and insider references. Jared Smith brings detailed, statistics-based analysis with betting angles, catering to both casual fans and dedicated sports bettors. The tone is energetic, informed, with a touch of irreverence—classic Herd radio.

For listeners who missed the episode:
You get a sweeping view of why the NFL’s grip on American holidays and hearts is unshakable, why it’s time to give the Cowboys credit, and exactly what to watch for—on the field and on your TV—this weekend. Plus, essential betting tips and a few laughs along the way.