The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 3 – Urban Meyer Talks Ohio State's Hot Start, Tomorrow's Headlines Today!
Date: September 12, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode features an insightful mix of NFL and college football discussion, with a focus on Ohio State’s strong start to the season. The highlight is an in-depth conversation with former Ohio State and Florida coach Urban Meyer, who evaluates the Buckeyes, recruiting trends, and challenges in the modern college football landscape. The episode wraps with Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre’s weekly NFL predictions segment—“Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”—offering sharp analysis and playful banter about the most intriguing matchups.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. NFL Storylines and Quick Takes

• CD Lamb’s Week One Drops (03:05–04:41)

  • CD Lamb had a notably tough game with four drops—his worst performance since Najee Harris (2021) and most by a WR since Jerry Jeudy (2020).
  • Discussion focuses on how Dallas will respond, with strong belief that CD will be heavily involved in the next game and is still a core player for the Cowboys.
  • Quote: "He is the last thing I worry about with the Cowboys. He's all good...they are going to make a point of going back to CD Lamb." (Colin, 03:55)
  • Betting note: Over six and a half catches for CD is a favorite prop for the week.

• Jets/Bills Preview & Garrett Wilson’s Role (04:41–06:45)

  • The Jets looked strong in defeat; optimism remains due to Garrett Wilson’s poise and mindset despite a tough loss and hard hit from Jalen Ramsey.
  • Anticipation that the Buffalo defense needs to step up after a lackluster showing against the Ravens.
  • Quote: “All the teammates...that’s contagious. Right. So when their quarterback’s doing that, you’ve got no choice.” (Jason McIntyre, 05:31)
  • Tentative bets discussed—Jets as underdogs if spread rises.
  • Acknowledgment of Green Bay’s impressive balance and skepticism about Buffalo’s D.

• Shedeur Sanders’ Sudden Decline (06:46–10:31)

  • Reports state Shedeur Sanders, once a projected first-round NFL pick, isn’t even running scout team for the Browns; Bailey Zappe is ahead on depth chart.
  • The discussion delves into questions of maturity, intangible attributes required at quarterback, and whether Sanders is simply "not cut out" for the NFL.
  • Quote: “Quarterbacks—the one position in sports...it’s kind of unfair, but I need you to be an adult by 22 years old, like an adult making man-decisions.” (Colin, 08:13)
  • Empathy for Shedeur as he faces a career crossroads, with hope he “doesn’t lose the plot.”

2. College Football Analysis

• Ohio State vs. Michigan – The Buckeyes’ Aura Change
  • Guest: Urban Meyer (21:06–30:02)
  • Urban Meyer joins to discuss the evolution of recruiting powerhouses, with focus on Ohio State’s emergence as “the best program in America” and compares them to LSU, Georgia, and previously, Alabama.
  • Oregon named as a new "blue blood" due to improved line play and recruiting, especially with increased resources and NIL/Big Ten expansion.
  • Quote: “Oregon...are officially now, in my mind, a blue blood. You stick them in the SEC...they’re as good as any team in the country.” (Urban Meyer, 22:09)
  • Meyer notices a distinct confidence in Ryan Day (Ohio State head coach) since his national title, comparing the "post-title" pressure to that seen with Saban and Smart.
  • Quote: “Once we won that first national title, the pressure was unbelievable to repeat, repeat, repeat...But I see a much different Coach Day. A much more confident...it seems people are off his back finally.” (Meyer, 24:13)
  • The show discusses how NIL and funding from large Big Ten schools have shifted college football’s balance of power northward; Saban is cited acknowledging new advantages.
  • Quote: “SEC used to pay players. Now everybody pays players. So I’m not saying that happened, but that’s what they were saying.” (Meyer, 27:05)
  • On Texas/Steve Sarkisian and the scrutiny of top QBs (e.g., Arch Manning): Meyer expresses empathy for the intense pressure, and speculates on coach-player media dynamics.
  • Regarding Michigan freshman Bryce Underwood’s learning curve, Meyer advocates patience for true freshmen in hostile environments.
  • Quote: “Don’t put this one on Bryce Underwood. Put them on the defense and the rest of the offense...freshman quarterbacks don’t go into Norman, Oklahoma and play against a Brett Venables defense.” (Meyer, 29:03)

3. NFL Matchups & ‘Tomorrow’s Headlines Today’ Picks

(Lightning, rapid-fire analysis and predictions for Week 2 NFL games, with signature headlines for each)

• 49ers at Saints

  • Prediction: Mac Jones thrives with Shanahan despite injuries; 49ers defense shackles Alvin Kamara.
  • Headline: “I’m loving it. 49ers take bite into big Mac.” (Colin, 34:36)
  • Stat drop: Kamara’s lack of success in past matchups with Niners D.

• Bears at Lions

  • Detroit favored, with skepticism about Chicago’s ability to keep up, especially given Lions’ historical dominance and Chicago’s poor defensive finish last week.
  • Headline: “Rolling in the Deep Dish. Ben and Caleb can’t top the charts.” (Colin, 36:04)

• Eagles at Chiefs

  • Eagles tipped to win in KC, with Jalen Carter’s return cited as the missing ingredient for Philly’s resurgence.
  • Headline: “Under the feather: Birds give Chiefs the football flu.” (Colin, 37:17)
  • Quote: “I’ve been consistent all summer: I didn’t like what I saw from KC end of last season...I just don’t think they’ve got enough dudes.” (Colin, 38:05)

• Panthers at Cardinals

  • Arizona predicted to bounce back, with doubts on Bryce Young’s supporting cast rather than the rookie himself.
  • Headline: “Bryce Crispy Treatment. Snap, Crackle and Drop.” (Colin, 38:55)

• Bucks at Texans

  • Houston favored due to strong defense and Tampa’s weakness against YAC.
  • Headline: “Bucked around and found out. Tall Texans teaching lessons.” (Colin, 40:09)
  • Take: Houston’s defense will “annihilate” Tampa. Stat focus on Tampa’s struggles with YAC.

• Betting Discussion

  • Props, lines, and angles; Colin notes this week’s peculiar line favoring Titans as an example.
  • Debate on under/over props for young QBs—especially how game flow or early deficits affect a team’s tendency to go pass-heavy.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On CD Lamb’s Resilience
  “He is the last thing I worry about with the Cowboys...they are going to make a point of going back to CD Lamb. Over six and a half catches is one of my favorite bets of the week.” — Colin Cowherd (03:55)

• On Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Struggles
  “Quarterbacks—the one position in sports...it’s kind of unfair, but I need you to be an adult by 22 years old, like an adult making man-decisions.” — Colin Cowherd (08:13)

• On Oregon’s Status as a Blue Blood
  “They are officially now, in my mind, a blue blood...you stick them in the SEC...they’re as good as any team in the country.” — Urban Meyer (22:09)

• On NIL and Big Ten Recruiting
  “This is something that I never thought through until recently...these big, you know, Columbus, it’s endless. The amount of money that you can get...it is a lot to it.” — Urban Meyer (26:14)

• On Young QBs & Pressure
  “Once we won that first national title, the pressure was unbelievable to repeat, repeat, repeat...But I see a much different Coach Day...much more confident...it seems people are off his back finally.” — Urban Meyer (24:13)

• On Rookie QB Expectations
  “Don’t put this one on Bryce Underwood. Put them on the defense and the rest of the offense...freshman quarterbacks don’t go into Norman, Oklahoma and play against a Brett Venables defense.” — Urban Meyer (29:03)

• On Betting and NFL Parity
  “I think people out there watching us and fans are just better, smarter betters than they’ve ever been. The lines are tougher.” — Colin Cowherd (41:43)

Timestamp Guide to Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:05–04:41| CD Lamb’s drops / NFC East discussion / betting props | | 06:46–10:31| Shedeur Sanders' NFL turbulence & QB maturation talk | | 21:06–30:02| Urban Meyer interview (Ohio State, NIL, Oregon, Texas, QBs) | | 34:20–41:07| Tomorrow’s Headlines Today: NFL predictions & analysis | | 41:43–42:44| Betting strategy discussion / line value observations |

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd draws on compelling voices—especially Urban Meyer’s insider take—to paint a vivid picture of the forces shaping today’s college and pro football. Colin and Jason’s signature “headlines” segment keeps the analysis sharp, accessible, and fun, mixing strategic depth with bets and bold predictions. From Ohio State’s hot start, the new NIL reality, to NFL matchups, the conversation is richly detailed, candid, and peppered with quotable analysis—making this essential listening for any football fan.