The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Saturday Special - Colin Chats with Bruce Feldman

Episode Date: August 10, 2019

Colin sits down with Bruce Feldman, FOX Sports College Football Reporter & Writer for the Athletic, for an exclusive inside College Football - Saturday Podcast! Dabo Swinney saying the SEC is really good but very over stated, Nick Saban’s decision to soften up the schedule, Jim Harbaugh saying competitors should want to play in Bowl Games rather than sitting them out and leading headlines for the top five college teams going into the upcoming season! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played. with and just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to listen to learn the hard way on the iha radio app apple podcast 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-Hart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, welcome to our Saturday morning podcast. Oh, the camps are open, college footballs around the corner, and Bruce Feldman is a Fox Sports

College Football Reporter, a writer for the Athletic, which is worth your money, New York Times best-selling author. So here we go, Bruce. Davo Sweeney, this week said the grind of the SEC for Alabama is overstated. I actually think it's a very good conference, the SEC, but there's a lot of dysfunction. Florida, Tennessee, Old Miss, Auburn, you know, finding the right coach, off-field stuff. I kind of believe what Dabo says. SEC is really, really, really good, but it's overstated. Is it fair to say that?

Yeah, I think it can be both things. I think it can be the best conference. but I also think there is some truth to that. I mean, when you look at, first of all, the biggest thing that makes the SEC the best conference is Alabama. Alabama doesn't have to play Alabama. Right. So after you take that out of the equation, you know,

you get Texas A&M, which has been pretty good, but not great in a long time. You know, you have LSU, which Alabama's had their number. I think they're the second most talented team in the West. And then you have Auburn,

which is all over the map and the Mississippi schools are okay but not great. And then, you know, it's like they'll get Georgia probably in the FCC title game. But it's not, I don't think when you look at it, especially with their non-conference schedule factored. Yes. Yes. Their non-conference schedule is putrid right now. Duke, New Mexico State, Southern Miss, Western Carolina, those are four cupcakes. And there's no way around that.

So for anybody who's looking at it going, They have, I don't want to call it a cakewalk to the FCC title game, but it's about as manageable as it could get because they get LSU at home. You know, you look at who knows what state Auburn is going to be in at the end of the year. I mean, Gus Malzone's on the hot seat. I just think it's a very, very manageable path. And again, I think it's, I think it is the best league, but because Alabama's in there, when you take Alabama off Alabama, let's be realistic.

It's not the NFL right now. Yeah, and I mean, Alabama also has generally a buy week mixed in with their four cupcakes because the SEC only plays eight games. So he does a good job of manipulating the schedule. I think it was in year four at Alabama, Sabin lost three games. And from that point, he made a decision. I'm not going on the road out of conference. I'll go neutral once a year. And I think he's made a real decision after he lost, I think it's three games in year four, to soften up his out-of-conference schedule.

Plus he has a buy in there. So I think it's overstated. By the way, last three years, only one SEC team has a winning record. This may have been on your tweet or somebody's. Only one SEC team, Alabama has a winning record against top 25 teams. Now, there's only one ACC team that does, and that's Clemson. But we always bang on the ACC and we elevate the SEC. So there you go.

Let's shift to Jim Harbaugh. He says competitors. should want to play in bowl games. Now we know, Bruce, there's sort of an elevation of the modern athlete over the last 10 to 15 years. They have more power. They make more money. Does he have a point, though, that it does, on the construct of a team,

having stars not play a final bowl game, is not great going forward for college football? Oh, I think he definitely has a point, but we're in a different reality right now than what it was when he certainly played. And I think Jim Harbaugh, you know, when you remember, look, two of his best players did not play in that Florida game. And they really got it taken to them.

And I think so, you know, look, the big thing we see in coaching is it's a self-preservation business. Yeah. So I think while there's, you know, there's merit to it. And I think, you know, there's this falls into the old school versus new school. I mean, look, Jalen Smith, great linebacker in Notre Dame. had a really bad injury and in the bowl game. There's a bunch of players you can go back and look and say,

man, that was that worth their risk. And I know there's insurance business and everything like that. But at the same point, you know, I can see why some players, especially at certain positions, why they may not,

why they may not play in the bowl game. But, you know, ultimately, I think we're just going to see more of this no matter what Jim Harbaugh says about it. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you content. and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist,

Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible. credible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing,

growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff,

like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This line is. You know these kids. This linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out.

Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on the only store at the chip.

I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team.

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Well, the bowl games have been to some degree of money grab. We got like 45 of them.

There's about 8 to 12 that have real meaning and real tradition and real history. So I could see a running back saying, listen, I've given you 352 carries for four years. I'm not playing in the, you know, whatever bowl. that part I get. If we had quarterbacks dumping out of games, I think you'd have a crisis. But I almost think running backs, you know, analytics have hurt centers in the NBA. Analytics are hurting running backs in the NFL. I think it's the running back, I kind of sense this.

They want to sign early in the NFL. They want to bail early in college. Could it be more of a position thing? You would think that, but look, Grady Williams didn't play in the ball game against UCF. and Devin White, who's in the middle of it as a middle linebacker, it did. You know, I think it comes down to, and look, I think some of these guys, people can read, you know, NFL personnel can read certain things into it. I think we'll have a bigger discussion is if and when a kid sits out a playoff game,

because what has happened in this playoff era is, and I don't totally agree with this, but I think there's some truth to it, that it has devalued every other. bowl game. You know, as much as I love the Rose Bowl, we're out here in Southern California. It's an awesome venue. It's got the best history. And last year was a fascinating matchup with Urban Meyer's last game. You know, Dwayne Haskins versus, you know, a terrific Washington secondary. All that being said, almost every other bowl game feels even more like an exhibition. And unless you're a gambler or a diehard fan of those schools, the meaning isn't there. So it's like, you know, you kind of shrug your shoulders if a West Virginia kid is

and playing in his bowl game, whatever bowl game it is. You know, if it, once it starts to get into the playoff, and it will not shock me when this happens, when some kid makes, quote, unquote, a business decision, and maybe he will do it under the guise of he's just not 100%, and it doesn't really come out that, and then there'll be whispers around the combine about what was the real truth to it. But that's going to happen, I think, at some point,

and then we're really going to get a bigger, you know, a bigger argument about it. But again, I think it reflects back to not just the day and age of where we are with athletes and, you know, how savvy they are with their careers and their futures. But I think it also comes back to this bowl system of what we have with the playoffs and how it's devalued it. Bruce Feldman, Fox Sports College Football Reporter. All right. Your sleeper playoff contender, who do you have? I don't know if they're that much of a sleeper anymore, but I'm going to say Utah.

You look at it, Kyle Whittingham told me this is the best defensive line he's ever had. That is saying something. They have a big, big time running back in Zach Moss. You get two quarterbacks who played a lot. They're really physical, and the schedule sets up. Yeah, yeah. Very well for them. I think they are a dangerous team.

They're really well coach. Also, Wittingham is very excited about bringing back Andy Ludwig, who was his offense coordinator in the last time he worked at. They beat a Nick Saban, Alabama team in a bowl game. Okay. What team do you see having a disappointing season? You know, when I look at how much hype is kind of fostering about certain places, I'm okay.

I'll roll the dice here on a Michigan and think they're going to be really, really good. The one I think maybe to pump the brakes on, at least a little bit for me, is Oklahoma. You know, back-to-back Heisman trophy owners, it's awesome what Lincoln Riley was able to do there with those quarterbacks. I just think they lost four offensive linemen, you know, from what was a terrific offensive line. I think that they're still going to be really good. I just think it's hard to keep catching lightning in a bottle like that. I think USC seven, eight years ago, you could have made an argument, maybe 10 years ago. It was the number one brand in college football with Pete Carroll.

I think Clay Hilton will be fired at some point at the either late in this season or immediately after the season. I think their early schedule is brutal. I think they have a pretty average staff. I think they're unsettled at quarterback. And I think their best group, wide receivers, that group going into a season. I have questions about both lines, especially the O line. What do you think happens at USC this year? I think they will be quite a bit better.

I really like the hire of Graham Harrell. Love the receiver core. and when you go out there and see them in person, especially when you're like looking at all the, you know, they were just five and seven, you're like, whoa, I forgot they had this, you know, they had this much talent there when you eyeball it. The problem is I think they need,

he needs to go get, go to the playoff. I think we're being realistic to save his job. He goes nine and three. People are going to go. That's a four game improvement. I don't think that's going to be enough because think about it. If you're a USC fan and you find out that they went nine and three, maybe you go 10 and 3 and win a bowl game.

Do you really have that much confidence that Clay Hilton? Are you, all of a sudden it's like every time it's a referendum on Clay Hilton, what is it going to take for this fan base that's felt like? And a lot of people within the athletic community there, and I'm talking about power brokers, feel like, you know what, he should not, he should not still be the head coach right now. Right. And they almost want to rip the band-aid off.

And I think some of them would rather have him go five and seven again. But nine and three is not going to solve it. It's just going to be more of the same. I think, and by the way, they're in a really mediocre Pact 12 South with most of the division has either had a coaching change this year or last year. Yeah, I mean, listen, they had their worst recruiting year in a decade last year. They are off to a horrible recruiting start where many of the best players have already been poached out of California.

And, you know, again, their schedule is rough at Washington, at Notre Dame. Those are really, really tough games for even a top five team to win. I have real reservations about the direction of the program. Now, let's talk Chip Kelly at UCLA. I don't think they're a top 25 team. They beat USC at the end of last year. Not a ton of recruiting momentum. Has the sport caught up to Chip Kelly's kind of niche specialty speed?

And I'll use this example. similar thing in the PAC 12. Mike Leach came back to college football after being away a couple of years and he took over a worse situation than Chip Kelly did, but they sputtered the first couple of years and a lot of people said, oh yeah, the football world was caught up to Mike Leach's system.

And what's happened? Give him a little time. Once the players figure out and his staff figures out exactly what he wants, they just, Washington State just won 11 games for the first time in school history. And by the way, he did it without any top 30 or 40 recruiting classes. I think with Chip Kelly, you have a guy who is just smarter and probably more beholden to what he believes than most coaches.

And I think he's not worried about what the recruiting guys say. You know, I've had conversations with him about, you know, the recruiting side of things. And when you hear him, I mean, he is really. talking, you know, subscribes to much of a Bill Belichick mold, which is he puts a premium on guys who he feel like are smart football guys who he can count on.

And sometimes those guys are not the guys who light it up and get all the stars. And I think that was a problem, quite honestly, that UCLA had at the end of Jim Mora, where they got caught chasing stars and had a lot of kids who looked apart who really didn't love football or just didn't kind of fit

in, and it got sideways. there. And once Josh Rosen left, I think it got even worse. And I think when you look at how much better they got, this is UCLA, because we had that USC game from the end of the year to the beginning of the year, and now from where they are in the spring, I think they're going to be actually pretty good. Now, I think pretty good may only be like seven wins, but considering where they were a year ago, that's saying something. And most of the best players in this program, with the exception with the exception of Darnay Holmes is a really big-time defensive back, they're all, younger players. So I think

they're going to get some momentum. Now, their schedule is pretty rough. I mean, they got Oklahoma coming in. They have a really good Cincinnati team that have to play on the road. But I think this is a team that's going to get some momentum. And much like his protege, Scott Frost, at Nebraska,

I think you looked at a really rough start because there's a big cultural shift, and they have got it going, and I think they're building on it. And I wouldn't pay that much attention to the recruiting rankings and look at it as all doom and gloom in this case. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's

where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down,

give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12

and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist. Kier Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing.

And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin, Ross because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth or are you a good person because you're afraid. Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show,

I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her.

What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed.

And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhaustive. at this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys

like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers while he got the ball. Like, you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah.

You figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down. the court and you're going to get the balls. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, I'm going to give you four or five teams. Give me a sentence. You're writing a column. Give me

your lead in 30 seconds on all four of these teams going into the season. Tennessee volunteers. Desperately need to get to a bowl game. The patience will get really thin. He's recruited really well on the offensive line, but Tennessee can't afford

to have back-to-back. no bowl seasons when you're recruiting against Georgia and now Clemson and Davo. The Davo dynamic was not that way in the recruiting region they worked in when Phil Fulmer was winning all those games. Wisconsin. Jonathan Taylor is a great player, but I think their schedule is really rough. I don't think they get close to 10 wins. Look at their schedule.

It's rough. I think they're going to take a step back. Notre Dame. Really like Ian Book. I think they got some athletes. I think they're a good team. I don't think they're a great team. But as we saw last year, good, got them to a playoff.

It might again this year. Miami Hurricanes. Schedules really, really soft. They will be a mirage. They may win nine games. They may even win 10 games, but they're not that good. They have big issues on offense. I think Bannie Diaz is a really good coach,

but they're about two or three years away from being a real, legit, top 15th team. Ohio State. I'm a believer in Justin Field saw him a lot when he was, you know, coming up. I think he's super talented. That's the quarterback transfer. Yeah, quarterback transfer from Georgia. He may be even more talented than Trevor Lawrence. A lot of smart quarterback people saw them both and thought he was, it was one and one A.

That's how good he is. I think Ryan Day is going to continue everything because he kept a lot of the key components of that program from Urban Meyer. but, you know, sooner or later, they're going to lose to Michigan. I think this may be that year. Finally, Bruce, Oregon-O-Bron week one. It's gigantic for Oregon. They've got NFL guys up front on the O-line, arguably the best college quarterback who will come out in the draft. Mario Cristobal can recruit, but they have not always been great game-day coaches.

They have really struggled on the road. Auburn, Oregon, Week 1, who do you like? I like Oregon. I think Auburn has a – you love this matchup. Auburn has a terrific D-line led by Derek Brown. Like you said, Oregon, Mario Cristobal, former Alabama O-Line coach, he has taken the blueprint from Nick Saban and tried to build a bully in the Pacific Northwest. If Justin Herbert plays like a top 10 quarterback and he's really talented,

but sometimes he has not really shown up. You know, like we had his bowl game against Michigan State. That's a big-time defense. They were really underwhelming. I don't think the skill talent is not what it was. was under Helperch and Chip Kelly for the quarterback. But I still think that right now, I mean, Auburn has to replace a quarterback as well. And you look, Andy Avalos was the defense coordinator at Boise State.

I think that was an underrated really good higher from Oregon. I think Oregon will handle this because of how physical they have become in the trenches. And I think that may be a difference compared to what happened last year when Washington really subbed it so on the red zone and that set the PAC 12 back really you know they need some big things to happen i think this won't fix everything overnight but i think this will be a big first step for the conference i think oregon um has a very i think oregon can argue the best o line in the sport and the best quarterback coming out i think utah has a nationally relevant defensive line but the conference as a whole could use USC coming back in washington uh though young on

defense popping a little bit. Okay, Bruce Feldman, writer for the athletic, Fox Sports College Football reporter on a Saturday morning. We can't wait. Bruce, good talking to you. Always good talking to football with you, Colin. I appreciate it. Thanks, Bruce. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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 helped make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and headwriter, 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit are armored?

It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to, listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, 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 a lot. unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast, 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 IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed Human.