The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3
Date: October 20, 2025
Main Guest: Robert Griffin III (RG3), former NFL QB and Fox Sports analyst
Main Theme: A lively, in-depth analysis of both college and NFL football—focusing on team cultures, quarterback performance, and why some franchises continually succeed or fail.
Episode Overview
In this football-packed hour, Colin Cowherd and co-host Rob Parker welcome Robert Griffin III (RG3) for a coast-to-coast breakdown of football’s biggest college and NFL storylines. Griffin draws on his unique experiences to weigh in on team culture, quarterback ascension, coaching, and the ever-evolving nature of both the college and pro games. The hour is rich with colorful insights, candid evaluations, and several memorable, quotable moments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Notre Dame & USC: Culture, Toughness, and Playoff Outlook
[03:47]
- Colin frames Notre Dame as built for bad weather and January football, predicting playoff success.
- RG3 fully agrees, saying,
"There's two things that travel in big time college football late in the season: a running game and your defense. They have both of those things." — RG3 [03:47]
- Conversation shifts to USC’s struggles on the road and in bad weather. Colin wonders if Lincoln Riley is simply not a great “culture creator.”
- RG3 explains that leadership and culture go beyond X’s and O’s:
"Some of the best head coaches I've ever played for set the culture, gave the motivational speeches, but it was the strength coach, it was the defensive coordinator..." — RG3 [04:50]
- The pair agree that roster building via the transfer portal is hard to figure out, and culture remains USC’s Achilles’ heel.
2. Ohio State, Indiana & Heisman Hopefuls
[06:44]
- Colin lauds Ohio State’s defense for “NFL-ish” tight windows and overall dominance.
- RG3 disagrees on their supremacy:
"I believe Indiana is the best team in the country... I saw an Indiana team that went out there and absolutely dominated them from the start..." — RG3 [06:44]
- RG3 singles out Ohio State's Julian Saying as his Heisman frontrunner, crediting his record-setting efficiency and ability to steer the offense.
"He's my front runner for the Heisman Trophy... Someone has to steer the ship. That's why I think Julian Saying is the Heisman front runner right now." — RG3 [07:20]
3. Drake May’s NFL Jump with Mike Vrabel
[08:36]
- Colin observes dramatic offseason growth by Drake May under Mike Vrabel.
- RG3 attributes May's play to Vrabel’s culture-building, simplifying the quarterback's role for success:
"Variable sits him down and says, this is all I need you to do... What Drake May has done to this point in the season puts him, in my opinion, the top five for the MVP." — RG3 [08:36]
4. Jackson Dart Impresses Amid Denver’s Talent
[15:34]
- Colin is more impressed by Giants QB Jackson Dart than Denver’s Bo Nix, citing Dart’s “unshakable confidence.”
- RG3 is unsurprised, having seen Dart’s “it factor” in college:
"You see guys like Jackson Dart who have moxie... Well, Jackson Dart can do all of those things... That can help alleviate, erase some of the mistakes of your offensive line." — RG3 [15:34]
- RG3 notes the Giants’ lack of a winning culture but credits Dart’s moxie and leadership for a positive shift in team attitude.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Mistake-Tolerance, Offensive Flexibility
[16:51]
- Colin marvels at the Chiefs’ constant offensive reinventions regardless of player turnover.
- RG3 credits Mahomes and the front office with their relentless pursuit of elite traits:
"What I've been most impressed with is Mahomes' ability to get it done with anybody..." "They bring in more talent regardless... always bring in a receiver, always bring in a running back because you never know..." — RG3 [17:46]
6. Caleb Williams: Strengths, Limitations, and Growth
[19:21]
- Colin questions if Caleb Williams can ever be a highly accurate, >67% completion-type QB.
- RG3 likens him to Brett Favre in style and necessity to accept mistakes:
"You got to live with the bad because the good is so good... The best thing that Ben Johnson has done is their running game..." "If you want to see Caleb continue to grow, you can't expect him to be Joe Montana in year two." — RG3 [20:10]
7. Dak Prescott’s Maturity and Locker Room Influence
[21:30]
- Colin praises Dak's leadership and effect on new star receiver George Pickens (previously considered high-maintenance), linking it to Dak’s maturity:
"When the quarterback is mature, does it change the locker room?" — Colin [21:30]
- RG3 affirms and notes Pickens’ growth, highlighting the “no drama” culture and Dak’s honesty:
"Dak does always answer the question the right way, but he also shows honesty in some of his answers..." "You got to tip your cap to Dak Prescott for what he's been able to do." — RG3 [22:47]
8. Rams File: Sean McVay’s Adaptability & Stafford’s Dominance
[29:30]
- Discussion moves to Rams’ dominant victory via surprise “three tight end” sets, with Colin, Rob Parker and RG3 praising McVay’s game plan shift and Stafford’s mentality.
"He's a killer. That's what killers do..." — Devonte Adams on Stafford [29:30]
9. Jaden Daniels' Injury & NFC Playoff Picture
[31:13]
- Analysis of Jaden Daniels' injury implications for Washington and the upward trajectory of playoff contenders like the Cowboys.
"We can agree now Dallas is right now a better football team than Washington. Yeah, it's not even close." — Colin [32:01]
- The panel discusses schedule strengths, potential for Dallas as a wildcard, and the Giants’ challenges ahead.
10. Blue Jays vs. Mariners – Baseball Postseason
[35:05]
- Brief discussion of ALCS Game 7, home team pressure, and the narrative of underdog storylines.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Notre Dame's Playoff Credentials:
"Two things that travel in big time college football late in the season: a running game and your defense. They have both of those things."
— RG3 [03:47] -
On Team Culture Beyond the Head Coach:
"It was the strength coach, it was the defensive coordinator. Those are the guys that really set the tone day in and day out."
— RG3 [04:50] -
On Dak’s Locker Room Effect:
"When the quarterback is mature, does it change the locker room? Oh, 100%."
— RG3 [22:47] -
On Jackson Dart's 'It Factor':
"Jackson Dart can do all of those things... That can help alleviate, erase some of the mistakes of your offensive line."
— RG3 [15:34] -
On Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs:
"Mahomes' ability to get it done with anybody... always bring in a receiver, always bring in a running back... you never know when that player is going to be able to give you a four to five game run that could help you win a Super Bowl."
— RG3 [17:46] -
On Caleb Williams' Growth:
"If you want to see Caleb continue to grow, you can't expect him to be Joe Montana in year two."
— RG3 [20:10]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [03:47] - Notre Dame built for postseason success
- [04:50] - USC’s culture, Lincoln Riley, and the difficulties of roster-building
- [06:44] - Ohio State vs. Indiana, Julian Saying as Heisman frontrunner
- [08:36] - Drake May’s development under Mike Vrabel
- [15:34] - Jackson Dart’s confidence and the Giants’ culture
- [17:46] - Chiefs’ offensive adaptability and Mahomes’ greatness
- [20:10] - Caleb Williams’ strengths, learning curve, and future accuracy prospects
- [22:47] - Dak Prescott's impact on teammate maturity and team stability
- [29:30] - Rams’ new offensive look, Stafford’s mentality
- [31:13] - Jaden Daniels’ injury and Washington’s fading playoff hopes
- [35:05] - ALCS Game 7 preview, home field pressure, Mariners story
Overall Tone & Style
The hour is fast-paced, conversational, and insightful with a dose of banter between hosts and guest. RG3 brings both analytical sharpness and relatable anecdotes. Cowherd’s and Parker’s direct, sometimes sardonic humor sets a lively backdrop.
Summary Takeaways
- Culture matters—in college (Notre Dame, USC) and the NFL (Giants, Cowboys, Chiefs).
- Quarterback performance & coaching philosophy can rapidly elevate or cap a team’s ceiling.
- Adaptability and roster upgrades distinguish enduring winners like Kansas City.
- Patient development is crucial for young QBs; not every transcendent talent leaps to NFL stardom overnight.
- Locker room leadership—especially at QB—has tangible, measurable effects on team drama and cohesion.
Whether you’re a college football die-hard, an NFL junkie, or just love solid football talk, this episode distills the highs, lows, and inside stories of the season with sharp analysis and entertaining anecdotes.