The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 2 - Herd Hierarchy, Nick Wright

Episode Date: January 2, 2024

In this hour of The Herd, Colin shares his adoration for college football despite its many flaws and irregularities. Then, another edition of "The Herd Hierarchy." Later, as is tradition, FS1's Nick Wright joins the show to poke holes in Colin's Herd Hierarchy. Lastly, Colin shares a huge sports pet peeve and offers some words of hope for college football's postseason. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith ruling. of two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever

you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, here we go. Our number two. We're live in Los Angeles. It's the hurt.

Wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. We truly appreciate it. Lots of choices out there. Nick Wright, five minutes, heard hierarchy, two minutes. J. Mack, you've got some kids. And I've got kids and stepkids. And there's a saying in place.

parenting that is so true. Years fly by. Man, the days are long. You have kids, they're exhausting. And what makes college football and what made last night so magical was kids.

NFL, it's 28, 29, 30-year-old married men, men with businesses, men with income, men with families, college football is 19, 20-year-old young men and they make a lot of mistake.

A lot of mistakes. Michigan special teams were a cartoon. Alabama snaps to the quarterback, a barnyard musical. Washington melting down in special teams at the end was utterly, laughably insane unless you're a Husky fan. That's what made the games great.

and it's what makes college football so special. It's not as refined as the NFL. It's not as slick. It's generally not coached at the same level. It is so deeply flawed and amusing and dramatic that you can dominate a game like Washington and make high school mistakes and let Texas back in. And that you can have a beautiful game plan like Michigan

and your special teams look like a Bugs Bunny episode. It is insane. And that's why I love the sport. It's not as good. It's not as good as the NFL. It's not as slick. It's not as refined. It's not as sandpapered.

But God, it's wonderful. Absolutely flawed to the core. Young men making mistakes. Crying when they win, crying harder when they lose. Last night was so great. I didn't move

off my butt for five and a half, six and a half hours, and I couldn't tell you the last time I had that much fun. I was nervous for them. I got kids. I was nervous for the partner turners. I was nervous for the kickers. I don't watch NFL games like that. It's men.

Sometimes it's 35-year-old men. Brady was 45. I'm not nervous for Tommy. He's got a zillion dollars. These kids' careers are hanging in the balance. Like, their lives. when you're 19, 20 years old, you get a pimple that ruins your weekend. These kids are stressed to the max.

NIL, transfer portal, network television. I mean, I'm nervous for them. I don't watch pro sport. I'm not nervous for LeBron. Dee Wade in his prime, Luca. I watch college football or March Madness. I'm nervous for the kids. I was pitting out last night watching it.

So when people say, I don't like college football. ball, it's not as good. That's right. That's right. And the Marriott pool's not as good as the Rich Carlton. Doesn't mean you can't have a great time with your kids there. Here we go. The herd hierarchy top 10 teams according to me. Here we go. The hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams according to college. Number 10. Listen, I don't love Miami, but I wouldn't want to play them in the playoffs. I mean, if they beat Buffalo and they get a home game, I mean, Tua didn't play particularly

well, but Baltimore embarrassed Detroit, Seattle, the Niners. Baltimore embarrasses a lot of people. They're 9 and 0 when they allow 20 points or fewer, and I do think Bradley Chubbs' injury is a real killer for this team because they're going to give up more points,

and that'll mean a pretty quick exit. But we have to acknowledge. They're fun to watch. They're very explosive. If Tyreek Hill is healthy and running downfield. They're dangerous Miami at 10. Number nine. I love the Houston Texans.

They're the first team with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback to make the playoffs since 2012 in the Colts. Chuck Bagano and Andrew Luck. The bottom line here, C.J. Stroud, he's like a veteran. Four games, no turnovers.

Bounce back off the concussion. They've got weapons. Tankdale, Schultz the Tide-in, Nico Collins. I don't think they're a multiple playoff win team, but what a story they are in Houston. Number eight. Listen, Kansas City's bad at receiver. Lead the NFL in drops.

Eight straight division title. They got a puncher's chance, but Super Bowl champions generally don't look like this, where they've got issues all over the field. I think they're going to win playoff games, maybe multiple. But it's been rocky. Travis Kelsey's age is apparent. He limps a lot now. The wide receivers are they just don't have a one.

Rishi Rice is good. He needs another offseason. But Andy Reid Mahomes, they're a top eight teams, certainly capable of winning more than one playoff game. Number seven. I wouldn't want to play the Cleveland Browns. First team to make the playoffs starting four different quarterbacks. I'm just here to tell you that defense is physical.

Joe Flacco has nothing to lose. No team will go into the playoffs, more carefree on offense. What are they going to lose? Flacco doesn't care. Flacco's got the back. Flacco's got the tournament. So they're going to come in loose, nothing to lose. They've been banged up at wide receiver.

They get them back. I got Cleveland at seven. Number six. The Rams are not a mystery. Great coach, great receiving talent, great quarterback. They're a little like the Washington Huskies. Do you want to play them? With that coach, that quarterback, and those weapons, you want to play them?

And one great defensive lineman. Listen, Kyran Williams, the running back, seven straight games over 100 yards. Puka's the rookie of the year, arguably. Great draft. Stafford Healthy, brilliant coach. Again, house money. Nobody thought they'd be here. Like Cleveland and the AFC, they're going to go into this playoff. Loose.

Stafford McVeigh already have a trophy. I wouldn't want to play them. Number five. The Cowboys. Listen, 8-n-0 at home, 3 and 5 on the road. You know, I think they are what they are. I don't trust them late in games. That's why I don't think they're a Super Bowl team.

team. I don't necessarily trust him on the road. But DAC does lead the NFL in touchdown passes. I still think they should have gone. And at the trading deadline, went after Derek Henry or a better running back. They have no running game. Tony Pollard's, I mean, is he a two? He was the third best running back against Detroit. CD Lam's a remarkable talent, but they feel very dependent on CD Lamb. Like, wildly dependent on CD Lamb. Number four. Detroit. Detroit beat Dallas. Be honest. I mean, they really did. You know, I put Dallas ahead of Miami when they lost.

I'm going to put Detroit ahead of Dallas, even though they lost. They're 7-0 when they have 140 rushing yards, and with that O line and those backs, they get there a lot. I think they can score a lot of different ways. I think they can come from behind and win. They can ball control and win. They've got a pass rush. They have a flawed secondary. Almost everybody in the NFL does.

I like Detroit and their story. Highly, highly, relentlessly aggressive, sometimes to a fault. Number three. I'm not going to move the bills. They've won 13 straight regular season games in December and January, and Josh Allen leads the NFL in touchdowns with 42. I do think the emergence of Cookett running back and the O-lines had their best year in about a half a decade. I do believe this is what a conference championship team looks like.

I think they're going to get to the conference championship. I don't know if they're going to win it, but they do not feel as totally reliant on Josh Allen as previous years. and I like what they're doing. Number two. San Francisco, I don't think anybody's going to argue. They've won 21 straight regular season games when they score at least 20, and they generally score at least 20. I think they're probably going to rest Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey in the final regular season game.

Listen, the final two spots, nobody's going to argue. San Francisco's two, and number one. Number one. Baltimore has humiliated San Francisco, Miami, Detroit, and Seattle. I don't think there's any question. Lamar should be the MVP. And what do you want me to say? I think he's the soul of the team. I think between Harbaugh's chip on his shoulder, Lamar's chip, the toughness, the grittiness, the relentlessness, the competitiveness. I love this franchise top to bottom. Zay Flowers. I know he's like a 5-9 rookie, and a lot of people are like, is he a first-round pick?

Holy moly, is that guy a handful? That guy has transformed that receiving core. Sometimes you forget OBJ's on the field. I mean, Zay Flowers is, and by the way, the other kid, lively, number 80. Look at second year guy. He's emerged as a star. So Baltimore's been good forever. We've always questioned their receiving core. This year, their receiving core often leads the way Baltimore at one. And with that, Nick Wright joins us.

First thing's first. All right. Heard hierarchy. Anything just jump out to you. Yeah, all of it. I mean, you're starting. I was so ready to come on here. and pay you a compliment.

Because honest to God, Colin, there are a few things I enjoy in sports media more than listening to you talk about college football. Like the passion, the love for it that spans your entire life. And I'm not a huge college football guy. It's moving. And then I see this. And I'm like, well, you got one and two right, which is like on the SAT, when you get the 400 points for writing your name.

And let's just go through it in no particular. particular order. Right now, Colin, Lions Rams would be a 3-6 match-up. Yeah. I think you would pick the Rams to win, yet you have them behind the Lions. If that game happens, you're picking the Rams.

We talked about this yesterday. I said Detroit, I think Detroit at home, I don't think the Rams would get a pass rush. I think it's not a great matchup for them, and I just feel like Detroit's It's a bit of a coaching mismatch, in my opinion.

But we talked about this yesterday. I would reluctantly take the lions, reluctantly. Okay. Yeah, well, talk to me in a week, because if it happens, my guess is you're taking the Rams. Also, on the Lions Cowboys, and then we'll get to the Bills. I understand the call. I get it. I understand the Lions being upset.

But the biggest thing that happened in that game was Dan Campbell treating post-call call like an angry kid playing Madden. Yeah. Who is so mad as receiver dropped a pass. He's like, I'm going for it on fourth and 20. I'm going to show you, Dad, like, chill out, man. Like, I know it went against you. And I like the aggressive stuff.

But going for two from the seven-yard line is objectively insane. Yes. And they still could have won that game. And then Dallas, Detroit, if they face in round two, would be being played in Detroit. Like that sequence of events of the Eagles. gagging the Cardinals game and the Cowboys escaping, giving Dallas the two-seed is one of the most important things to happen this late in the year. And then last but not least, here's my question. Where are you going to have the bills ranked in the herd hierarchy playoff edition when they miss the playoffs?

When they lose this weekend and they're not in the playoffs, are you still going to have them in the top five? Colin, did you watch, did you watch this weekend? The Patriots turn the ball over four times in the first 20 minutes. inside the 30, including a pick six, and the bills still tried to lose the game for him. Two weeks in a row, Stick and Zappy almost took them down, and you can't like how they've looked post-Chiefs Cowboys games. You just can't. Two games in a row, you think they're going to go beat Miami because I don't.

And if they don't beat Miami and Pittsburgh beats Baltimore's backups, look out, the bills are out of the playoffs, and you'll still say they can win the Super Bowl. I'll move him to five. Yeah, it's unbelievable. Your love affair with this team. 14 playoff teams, they're out. I'll move him to five.

I want to say this about Lamar. And one of the things, I used to have a Heisman vote. And I remember voting for Eric B. Enemy at Colorado. But he lost to somebody at BYU who had 8,000 yards. And I said, I'm not voting on this nonsense. You didn't watch the games. And I really push back on Westbrook's MVP, triple-double. and it's objectionable, the Lamar stuff.

I don't care about his stats. I care about his influence and impact. I've watched him dismantle four good teams. Like, I still think, this is crazy. I still think he's underappreciated, and he's going to win his second MVP. Where do you land with him? No, listen, he's won a unanimous MVP before,

and I know the voting is different now. You used to just submit one name. Now you submit a full ballot one through five. I'd be hard pressed to hear anyone explain why he's not getting their first place vote. I think he might be unanimous once again, given the fact that McCaffrey is going to miss week 18. Tyreek has slowed down a bit. Obviously, you know, the bloom came off the rows with Purdy. So I think DAC should be not, you know, a unanimous number two, but a pretty clear number two.

Lamar's got to be the guy. and he is an eye test guy with some good, not eye-popping stats the way they were his first MVP year, but I want to put the Lamar conversation on its head to a degree, because I want your reaction to something, because we have seen Lamar win an MVP before the Ravens be the one seed, and then they lost their first playoff game where he didn't play poorly, where he didn't play well, lost to the Titans. If, and I don't think it's going to happen,

But there's a decent scenario where if the favorites win in round one, that the Ravens first playoff game is hosting the Browns. And that defense and the flacco factor, and it's a third time playing a team, all of it. If Lamar plays poorly and they lose their first playoff game, are people all of a sudden doing the NBA NFL, Lamar Jackson, James Harden, Combs. unbelievable regular season guy can't trust him in the playoffs i don't i don't want that to happen to lamar but there's a lot of scenarios where i think this could go left on them because they are clearly the best team i almost feel like having the two weeks off could work against them same

and of all the teams they could play in the first round i think they'd rather i know they can't play san francisco again than have cleveland a divisional rival come to town with the weird flacko emotion part of it. That's a tricky spot for them. Yeah, and the reason it doesn't land for me like Hardin is because sometimes Hardin, I've just not sure he cares on the defensive end. He's a great individual player. Sure.

I think Lamar is so much about Baltimore, the team, the locker room is teammates. So I hope that doesn't become a reality. So I want to ask you about this. I said this, it's an interesting topic. I said, recency bias is a powerful thing. show up on Monday and Tuesday and we have big strong opinions. But during this heater for Justin Fields, his passer rating 77, and their defense is shutting down terrible quarterbacks. And everybody's like, look at this. And I'm like, yeah, and the heater, he's a 59% completion rate guy. And it wouldn't

be the worst thing for him to go to home to Atlanta in a dome in a worst division, not face golf, cousins, Jordan Love. Like in a weird way. he'd be better served with an offensive coach and those weapons inside. I couldn't. I can't keep Justin Field. Doesn't win enough. He's been banged up. During the heater, it's average.

He's just a great playmaker. Where do you land? Well, listen, I think you might be short-selling him a touch, but either you are or you aren't, you have to draft Caleb Williams. You can't in consecutive drafts have your choice of quarterbacks

and in consecutive drafts not take one, unless you are a hundred percent certain this guy is a star. And while I don't, you know, I think he has now moved out of likely bust category, he's far away from shore fire. And so, yes, you absolutely call Atlanta and see if they'll give you their second round pick and something. The other team, Colin, that I would call, if New England is going to keep Belichick, maybe you call New England and see if he's interested in trading the 35th pick for Justin Fields,

pairing him with Marvin Harrison, but you have to. You absolutely have to take Caleb Williams if you're the Bears and then continue to build from there with the rookie quarterback scale, you know, reset. Can I throw one thing? Because I mentioned New England. I know this isn't planned, but I just thought of it and I wanted your take on it. Do you think the Patriots are a potential landing spot? for Russell Wilson if they keep Belichick. Do you think that could be the spot that

Russell goes? Because there's not going to be a lot of teams that offer Russell's starting job. Do you think that's on the board if they don't get one of the top two quarterbacks because they beat the Jets, they fall to the fifth pick or something? Could you see that happening? We talked about it. No, because I think the third quarterback

taken is either going to be Michael Pennix, Drake, May, or Jaden Daniels, and those are way better than average prospects. I think this year, I mean, I watched Bo Nix yesterday. If Bo Nix is

the fifth quarterback taken, he reminds me of a more athletic, Drew Breeze. I'm like, that's the fifth quarterback. So I think it's a legitimate question, but I think it's just a strange year with great prospects. Speaking of NFL in college, Harbaugh, Harbaugh, to me, is better

for college football. He's a disruptor. He's I think he's just great for the sport. We already got a harbaw in the NFL. We're fine. What would you do? NIL makes recruiting kind of a pain in the butt. What would you do if you were Harbaugh, knowing his entire resume? Oh, I mean, if I were horrible, I think I'd do exactly what he's going to do,

which is very publicly flirt with the entire NFL and really make Michigan pay you all the money that you gave back and then some and then stay and be a legend. I mean, I think that's what he will do and what he should do. Also, this Harbaugh Renaissance is such a great turn of events for, if I may say so, me. Because, and I've told you this before, eight years ago, when I first got hired by FIS One and I filled in for you, I did a rant about how if you don't tell me if you're going to coach college or pro, and you can pick any coach available, the number one draft pick should be Jim Harbaugh, because he can be excellent at both levels. And I think he has now, and then he lost Ohio State six times in a row, and I look like a fool.

Now, I think that take is back from the dead. Let me ask you, Colin, all coaches available, college or pro, if you can hire one, but you don't get to know, are they coaching your NFL or your college team, isn't he the no doubt first coach off the board? Isn't he the best dual threat coach in football right now? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, it's second is arguably Dan Quinn. Who would, I mean, who got, by the way, outside of the Kyle Shanahan years,

well, it was pretty average. That's second. Yeah. Yeah, because it can't be saving. It can't be urban. Belichick, as we have no idea, you know, is too old. Andy Reid's not recruiting. It's got to be horrible.

So somebody find the grainy. when I had a shaved head and wore fake glasses. That take back from the dead. Seven and a half years later. Who to thunk it? Yeah. Nick Wright, first things first. The show is on fire.

Very prominent, a billboard campaign, whatever. Here we go. I know it. I know. You know, last week I wasn't bitter, but after about 32 sightings, I'm getting up there. Whatever.

Okay, yeah, I figure. Well, meanwhile, I will just say, continue to be not only a. America's voice of reason, but America's most trusted college football voice, which this time a year I really lean on. So I'm just happy for you and your continued success. And I hope you think of that when you see my face, when you drive off the Fox lot today with that massive, nice billboard we have. All right. Nick Wright. See you. First things first. Yeah, college football's glorious. Flawed, a bit of a mess. Glorious. I'm sitting there, and I like Texas, and I like Sark.

That last 90 seconds for Washington, I'm going, no. No, this is not the way it's supposed to end. Washington's supposed to win these close games. I've seen this before. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Two NBA insiders podcasting twice a week to plug you right into the NBA great fight. All happening in only one place. This League Uncut, the new NBA podcast with me, Chris Haines,

and me, Mark Stein. Join us as we team up to expound on everything we're covering, hearing, and chasing. Listen to This League Uncut with Chris Haines and Mark Stein. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

Yep, that's me. Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skisks. hits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.

One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we picket here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill,

waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you're just so you're not. But just so you know. I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence.

Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, welcome back. What a day.

What a day, what a night. All wonderful. J. Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Your number one team, the Baltimore Ravens. By the way, Stug, nobody mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles, not even in the top ten.

They were my 11th team. Packers were 12. The Ravens, your number one team, have clinched the number one seat in the AFC, sorry, and are looking, you know, pretty darn good. Odell Beckham Jr. what a Super Bowl winner looks like. Remember, he got a ring with the Rams. He says this Baltimore team is better. Wow.

This is a good-ass feeling, man. This is probably the best team. I'm probably the best team I've ever been on from the top to the bottom. We set ourselves up for success. You know what I mean? It's got to come through the bank. And these black and purple units come through this defense. This offense is crazy, man. Everything's right in front of us. So let's go ahead.

Keep prepared. Y'all enjoy this moment. Yeah, I mean, that's not a hot tape. Yeah, I think they are loaded. I think the Rams team that won, linebacking court, secondary. They were barely above 500 midseason. They went on an awesome postseason tar. Baltimore is wrecking people.

They're like college wrecking. Detroit's good team blew them out. Niners good team blew them out. Miami good team blew them out. Like Baltimore is destroying people. To put some numbers on that, Baltimore has won five straight games by at least 14 points against teams that entered the week three games over 500. No, I mean, this does not.

This is what a college dominant team looks like, blowing everybody out. I'm trying to poke holes and find a weakness or how they slip up. Who beats them in the postseason and how? Well, again, you know, remember, postseason is cold and windy. And all of a sudden, you're knocking on the door and Lamar gets hit a couple times and it inopportune place. And all of a sudden now you're trailing and the wind eliminates Dave Flowers down the field because you've got 25 mile an hour nor'easter.

I mean, it's just wind, fumble, cold injuries. It just happens. You've seen the Lamar Jackson postseason numbers, right? Now, Peyton Manning struggled in postseason for a long time. The first five seasons of his career. But if you look at Lamar in the playoffs, four gates, one in three, 55 percent completions, three touchdowns, five picks. Yeah. Well, he didn't have very good receiving course.

It's fair. And he lost us some good teams. It's fair. AFC, we've talked about this. No, Burrow. Kansas City's down. That's your team. Buffalo, right?

Well, no, I mean, I think Buffalo is going to end up in the conference championship, but I don't know if they'll win it. I think Baltimore is a better team. But my guess is this morning I would go, I would go with Baltimore and Buffalo. Who would you take in a bet? Ravens and 49ers in the Super Bowl or the field. You could have any other teams you want. I would probably take Ravens 49ers in the Super Bowl.

That's tough. I mean, Buffalo's, like, who in the NFC is ruining them? I just, it's tough to make a case for anyone in the NFL. Dallas? But they'd have to go into San Fran and do it? After watching Dallas Detroit coaching moves late in the game. Oh, McCarthy. It's like those teams can't end up to the Super Bowl.

Too so much silliness. I'd just say this for Buffalo fans who are excited. There's a world where they miss the playoffs come. I know they can get the number two seed when the AFCs. They can also miss the playoffs if they lose to Miami and like three other things happened. Wackier things have happened. All right, let's move on to the AFC North, where Mason Rudolph, oh boy, what a story he's been.

Come on, can we get behind Mason Rudolph the way we love Joe Flacco? I mean, two great starts. Well, he does throw to Pickin, so he's got the self-awareness to throw to the best player on the field. Well, DiOtson is pretty good, too. But Kenny Pickett is healthy and clear to return, but he is not the guy this weekend. Mike Tomlin is sticking with Mason Rudolph and a must win for Pittsburgh against Baltimore. He's done a good job, and we've done a good job in the most recent two weeks. We've taken care of the ball. He's taking care of the ball.

We scored points at a rate in which we hadn't done to this point this year. And with the urgency at a moment and because of those reasons, we're going to leave the ball in his hands. But I say all those things with the understanding that I know Kenny is very capable. And particularly as it pertains to this matchup, Kenny has led us to victory late in the game. The last two times we played Baltimore. And so we feel like we've got two capable guys. will proceed into the week the same way that we did last week, but just knowing that his availability is less in question.

For the record, I agree with this. Mason Rudolph is feeding Kenny Pickens the ball, and sometimes it's as simple as, could you get the ball more often to your playmaker? I think it's George Pickens. But yes. George, you know, my big kid. So let me, now this is a tough one.

Guess the line. Pittsburgh at Baltimore this week. Don't look at the screen. Five. Who? Baltimore minus five. Baltimore minus four. Baltimore is sitting a lot of guys.

Lamar Jackson ain't playing. So Baltimore minus two. Nope. Pittsburgh is favored in Baltimore. Now, it was four this morning. I hope you hit it. Well, you're doing the show. I hit it.

I don't think I'm doing Blazing Five this week. You can't find, well, you do a Blazing Three? When you're hot, you're hot. Ride the hot hand, no? I mean, that's what he's doing here with. Pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered. You're hot, get out. Boom, quit.

By the way, how did you do yesterday with the college? I had Michigan narrowly. I didn't want to bet it. Michigan narrowly in Washington money lines, so two and open. And you're not going to do a week 18? You're letting the people down, man. I don't think the people rely on me.

I thought you said you had like ten straight weeks where you're dominating. Well, I've been doing very well for a while, but sometimes you have to know when to fold them. What is that? Kenny Rogers? Yeah, Kenny Loggins is the danger zone. That's right. Katie Rogers is the gambler. The gambler, yes.

Yes, yes. Final story. Nobody's ever confused those, too. But go ahead. Boe Nix. I think you like Bo Nix, right? I think he's, I see some Drew Brees with athletic, with mobility. I think he's an incredibly accurate thrower.

No, we need to point out how he carved up mighty liberty yesterday. He threw for 363 yards, five touchdowns. Deliberty. Another team that deserved to be in a bowl game. And this was in like three plus quarters. I mean, listen, you could make those throws out there. Another deserved team gets sheled. Look at the poised in the pocket?

Oh, my goodness. They went old school. duck uniforms. I love that. They said a, Bo set a single season record for completion percentage. 77%. Super accurate, and he moves better than you think. He reminds me

a little, now, Tua was the Breeze comp because of accuracy, but I think there's a little bit of, I talked to a GM last night about this. He asked me if I like J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix, and I said, Bo Nix. I think Bo Nix is a more accurate thrower of the football

and a sturdier body. By the way, we haven't really done much on McCarthy. You would take Bo Nix over him? Yes. I think we're on different sides of that one. Listen, I got nothing against Nix, but there's somebody. Jay-J. McCarthy got bailed out in that game. He almost, his first throw was...

That was awful. Yeah, he was a little nervous, clearly. A little. What about the game-winning drive? Four minutes left, you've got to go to the left to the field? Very good. Very good in that. I mean, that was Clutch City. Why?

I didn't say he's obviously he's going to get drafted. pie, but I think maybe the single greatest play I saw yesterday was where he pitched to the running back who threw it back to McCarty. And he caught it one-handed. And then threw it and got drilled. That was an amazing play.

And I'm telling you, listen, I know that people out there, JJ McCarthy's a joke. I'm just saying, you talk about traits, measurables, McCarthy is going to check every single box. He's going to get up there and look like a freak jumping. As a thrower, he's a little bit of Hammondegger. As a thrower, he's just a, he's just nothing. He's a big arm.

Just a guy? Little ham and egger is a thrower. It works behind that great O-line and that great coach and those great backs. They're fine. There's a reason it's the cheapest thing on the menu. When I was eating McDonald's breakfast back in the day where it didn't matter what you ate, that ham and egg stuff was great. Before the McGrittle came along and just destroyed the market.

And the McRib. J-Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News. Those were the days. Aren't they? Those were the days.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told,

and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that. sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart

Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Saturday on Fox. The biggest games are on Fox prime time hoops. Bruce Thornton leads Ohio State in a Big Ten class with Indiana. At Altette's all that's on Saturday

at 7.30 Eastern on Fox. You know, people ask you from time and time, oh, what's your pet peeve? It's sitting in traffic or travel during the holiday. My pet peeve is overly dramatic sports fans. Take a deep breath. If I have to hear again, oh, the transfer portal is ruining the sport. The NIL has ruined the sport. Oh, the Liberty Bowl is not as big as it used to be.

Who gives a rip? I'll take this year 100 out of 100. Dion story, the Harbaugh story, the Washington story, Texas is back. Folks, these second and third tier bowl games, nobody watches them, nobody's going to them. The networks can't make any money on them. That's why networks drove the Big Ten expansion and the SEC expansion. You know who drove that? TV networks.

There's no money in bowls. Fact, the ratings were up this year. Fact, the 12-team playoffs going to be unbelievably big for the sport. Fact. Quarterback play and skill level and college football has never been better. Fact. College offenses look like grownups. Listen, the sports transitioning. It's bumpy. There's a lot of moving parts. Your favorite Cotton Bowl doesn't mean as much as it used to. Get over it. Ratings up. Ratings exploding. Ratings last night, huge. Big brands, great coaches, lots of drama.

Things don't stay the same. They just don't. If you're uncomfortable with it, you're going to have a bleak last 30 or 40 years of your life, fellas. Stuff changes. Embrace it. Get on the surfboard and ride the wave of momentum. But the 12-team playoff is going to be magical. This is a transition year, so it's still bumpy and cruddy.

And the NIL's a bit of a mess. But Dion and Harbaugh and Washington, Oregon, and Texas is back. And last night is absolutely. Absolutely fantastic. Okay, an NFL thing. So it's interesting. So the Niners are in a weird spot. They could just rest their team this weekend,

and then they get the buy week, and they get two weeks off. Now, buys are good for a small subset of people in the NFL, offensive coaches. Andy Reed off a buy is 21 and 3. McVeigh, Shanahan, with an extra week to prep, are better coaches. So offensive coaches, the great ones, just like college football,

bowl games, for the great offensive coaches, great coaches, they're pretty good in bowl games. But I would argue players aren't. Football, practice means more. Coaching means more than it does in basketball or baseball. They say a good manager in baseball is worth like five wins a year. What were the Rams with Jeff Fisher to Sean McVeigh? It was a different franchise.

to different franchise. Bill O'Brien to D'Amico Ryan's. You know, I mean, it feels like they're more formidable now, though Bill O'Brien had some success. Brian Flores to Mike McDaniel. It feels like a different franchise. So it just, it just Nat Hackett and Sean Payton. You see the difference?

So I just think players need practice. Now, if you have Christian McCaffrey who's banged up, absolutely. Trent Williams' left tackle? Absolutely. If Brock Purdy's not healthy, maybe he sits. But I would play a majority of the starters against the Rams, and Kyle Shanahan talked about it. You got to make sure that you prepare for games by practicing.

And we've got a game this week on Sunday, and that's what you got, you know, when you get guys the game off, practice changes too. And that can end up hurting guys a lot. And you end up just developing bad habits. And, you know, I've seen it cost a lot of teams. So, and it's also always can end up hurting, you know, you rest players,

and that sometimes gets more players injured. So all that stuff, you've got to balance out. Christian McCaffrey, I'd absolutely sit, but running back's a unique position where even a rookie running back or a freshman running back in college, you hit the hole, you get the ball, don't fumble. That I don't worry too much about.

And Trent Williams is the best left tackle, probably in a decade with Tyron Smith of the Cowboys when he's healthy. But other than that, I'd play everybody against the Rams and see what you got. There is NFL interesting data that JMAQ just had that surfaced. Now, we always say on this show, it's not just what is reported, but why is it reported? So Justin Fields beats Atlanta, and all of a sudden, all of a sudden, the Chicago talk show hosts, the Chicago fans, The Chicago columnist, Justin Fields is the future.

And suddenly, management wants to slow that down a little. Jemak, what story did you see from a respected journalist? This gentleman named Jeremy Fowler, I think you know him. Yeah, I know a fine job. I've come on my podcast before. He is now reporting that the Bears could fetch a lot for the first pick in the draft. Obviously, they could get a lot. What could they get for Justin Fields?

The consensus is that Fields could be worth a second or third round pick in a pre-draft trade, which when you compare it to Trey Lance, you know what he fetched more, and slightly worse than Sam Darnold, who got even worse than Trey Lans. So Justin Fields has a lot of value on the market. This is, as you note, the Bears letting people know, hey, hey, hey, we can get a second round pick for Fields. Oh, and we get to reset the quarterback. This is Chicago saying, slow down.

We can get a lot. Let's feed a respected reporter in a big network. This is how the game is played. I get calls occasionally by teams. Just banging the drum for something they want out. This is what happens with the newsbreakers. You know you're your people that do this for a living. This is the bear saying, remember this, mark my words.

So the NFL teams right below Chicago's number one pick, Washington, New England. They know. See, the teams below the Bears, getting the number one pick, commanders, patriots, giants, all these teams. They know the front office for the Bears goes as the wind blows. They don't think they're elite. They don't think they're the Detroit front office. They don't think, you know, they're the Rams front office. They can be manipulated by the media and trends and volume.

Watch a bunch of negative, Caleb, Williams stories before the draft. Leaked by the teams drafting 2, 3, 4, 5. Why? Because it will bang the drum for bears, columnists,

bears media, bear fans to say, Lord, Caleb is not worth it. I know what I get with Justin Fields. If I had the second pick in the draft, if I was Washington, I would be calling all these reporters saying, hey, we talk to Caleb Williams.

I don't know if I draft that guy. There's a lot of stuff there. I don't want to talk about it, but it's scary. And it goes to the media. And Chicago talk show host, columnist fans are like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, we got to keep Justin. Because Washington wants Caleb Williams. And New England wants Caleb Williams.

So you muddy the waters on Caleb Williams. Watch those reports coming out. You remember CJ Stroud last year, shreds Georgia, looks incredible. Incredible. This guy's got to be the number one pick. And then that S2 test comes out, remember? Where quarterbacks do great, and C.J. Stroud, like, did horribly on the S2. And oh, I don't know.

Processing got to drop C.J. Stroud down. How do you know that wasn't Houston feeding the market saying, I don't know if I draft C.J. Stroud? Bryce Young, I think, ace that test probably, you know. I'm just saying. No, no, you're right. This is the way the game works. And so the teams below, because Caleb is the,

the number one prospect. Penix throws a prettier ball, but he's got injuries. Derek May was hit and miss. Drake May. You're starting to hear some Jaden Daniels chatter. Jaden Daniels top five, top ten. Like look out. A little slight build. So I'm just saying when this story comes out today, Jeremy Fowler at a big platform comes out and says, you can get a lot for Justin Field. Why is that out today. So if you saw the top 10 picks there, over under three and a half quarterbacks in the top 10 in the draft. Over.

So you think four for sure. That's going to be four quarterbacks. Caleb. A tight end. Two left tackles. Who are the other two? Caleb Drake, Pennix, and Jay. Four quarterbacks, a tight end, two offensive linemen, a defensive end,

and two receivers. Two receivers. Number two. I'm not a Dunez, I can get with. The Washington guy, he's awesome. Well, what about Harrison? Oh, Harrison's, you're right. Then it's two receivers, a tight end, a rush end,

four quarterbacks and two offensive tackles. And I think it's a pretty clean first-ten picks. I think most people agree. Four quarterbacks, that's why. Joel Clatt next hour, the herd. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends,

me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letter help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing.

human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought, provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.