The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - HOUR 2 - Blazin' 5 Picks, Dave Wannstedt, USC is quietly resurgent and strong

Episode Date: September 26, 2025

Colin makes his Blazin' 5 Picks for Week 4 of the NFL season. Former NFL and college head coach Dave Wannstedt joins Colin to discuss the problems with the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens, and he weighs in on the resurgence of USC ahead of their game against Illinois, and how Ohio State has to handle Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you. you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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 Acapella 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 ice. Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every family has its secrets.

But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man. Is everyone lying to me about who they are? I felt such desperation. I felt it was what I had to do. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man. on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Some day into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio.

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All right, here we go. It is a Friday. We are live in Chicago. It's the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making out as part of your day. J. Mack, I thought this was the strangest thing. I know you love the Lakers. J.J. Reddick got a contract extension.

Happy for him. I like him. I didn't think he had a great playoff series at all. But I did think he had a very good year. I think they were very intentional offensively. I thought he was an upgrade over Darwin Ham offensively for sure. He had the respect of LeBron James, so I think, I thought he had a very good rookie year. I thought he had a bad playoff series.

But again, you're talking about, wasn't it, Chris Finch? I mean, you're going up against one of the best coaching staffs in the league. So I didn't get it. I mean, he won 50 games. He deserved credit, but they gave him a contract extension. And I thought that was, he just signed a contract. It's not like he had a massive market where the entire NBA was like knocking down. the door to get J.J. Reddick, but he got an extension yesterday after kind of a, I wouldn't,

I don't think even J.J. Reddick would acknowledge. I think he would acknowledge it was not a good playoff series for him. Remember that weird experiment where he did not, he left his starters in, was it the entire second half and they were gassed in the next game. And it had never been done before. So it took a big swing. It backfired. And they gave him an extension. Is that not weird? Yeah, come on. Let's lay off J.J. Redd. He's a good guy. He loves chat GPT, which I use a lot. I'm using a lot for NFL gambling this season. There is unbelievable info on there, man.

JJ Reddick uses it. It's got to be good enough for us, right? I don't know. I just thought, usually how a season ends dictates how ownership and front offices view you. I mean, the NBA regular season, come on. I mean, they stole Luca. In the postseason, you're like, he would admit kind of a clunker. Like it was kind of a clunker against Minnesota, took a big swing on a move.

that had never been done and the team felt like it was gassed. And I don't know. Maybe it's new ownership. Obviously, they had to give the green light. It tells you they like the new skinny Luca. They like Reddick. Because it seems like my guess on why the Lakers did this, they are doubling down on Luca and JJ Reddick being the future, not LeBron.

They're saying all the right. things. Rob Polink is like, oh, I hope he ends his career. Ownership is sending a signal to LeBron. This is JJ Reddick and Lucas franchise. 100%. They're saying the right stuff on LeBron. But what they're doing is, LeBron, you're our third pitch. Actions over words. Yeah. And that's my guess is that new ownership is just doubling down on, don't think for a second, we're not going to send messages. It is a Luca team. And I've told you, think Luca this year ends up averaging over 30 because when he's been in shape, he takes the ball over. He doesn't give it back. And LeBron's going to be watching a lot of basketball on one end of

the floor, not participating. All right. Hey, they have the best week. I got some bad breaks. Undeterred, here's our Blazing Five. That's a hot one. Let's blaze it off. It's Collins Blazing Five. Vikings versus Steelers. Favorite bet on the board, I'm going to take Minnesota minus two and a half. I get the better offensive staff, better defense. I think right now, I don't know why I would like Pittsburgh. Minnesota has won 11 of its last 13 regular season games,

and they've been very good on the road or away from home. I get Carson Wentz, Jordan Addison's back, Jordan Mason more than capable, Justin Jefferson, I think I get a better offensive line. So I like the offense and the defense ranks top five in the league. The Steelers offense is a mess. They can't run the ball. They can't protect Aaron Rogers. This coaching staff can't figure out a run game.

I don't know why this line is only minus two and a half. The Steelers under Tomlin have been a good underdog team. They'll play like their hairs on fire. But I think Minnesota 27 to 20 covers here. Better staff, better offense, better defense. I better road team I'm going to take Minnesota Panthers at Patriots I'm taking the over 43 and a half I don't get the number

listen the Patriots outplayed the Steelers they just kept coughing it up Drake May in the last two weeks it's completing 74% of his throws the problem for them is they don't have a pass rush they're allowing the most big plays so for New England to win they got to win they got to score some points and I think they will because Carolina's defense, they don't get to the quarterback either. I mean, they have one sack through their first three games.

So you're going to get a very comfortable Drake May, who's going to have time at home to throw. The weather's not an issue. The bad weather's out of town. You have two defenses that don't get after the quarterback and two quarterbacks when they're not pressured, who can complete a lot of passes and move the chains. I think we get points in this game. 26, 23, New England wins. the over. Bryce Young last week completed 67% of his throws. If he's got time, he does that.

Colts and Rans. I think it's a good spot for the Rams. Sean McVeigh off a disappointing close loss. They come back home that have the second highest grade by PFF of any team in the league. Rams are a really good team that dominated Philly in Philly for a half. Puka and Devonthe Adams have been outstanding, the best receiving tandem in the league. And the defense leads the NFL sacks. So Daniel Jones, and he has a good old line, is going to face real pressure. The offense last week for the Colts came back down to Earth a little. They were two for eight on third down. They weren't very good. And their defense has major holes on the back end. This is not a great Colts defense on the back end. Puka, Tyron Williams, Matt Stafford, McVeigh at home. I think they

looked much more comfortable. They beat the Colts, 34 to 24, 30, excuse me to 24. This is a good spot for the Rams. At home against an average beaten-up secondary. Take the Rams. Bears at Raiders.

I like the Raiders. They're a slight favorite. I like the Raiders. Gino Smith, do you know this? Leads the NFL in big pass plays. Second and passing yards only behind Justin Herbert. When Gino has time to throw, often this year he hasn't, he can sling it. And I think it's a great opportunity to get the running game going.

The bigger story here is we're concentrating on Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. But the Bears' defense has not been good, and they're a terrible road team. One and eight on the road last nine games. Caleb has been bad on the road. The Bears have been a bad road team. And their defense is allowing 6.7 yards of play. We're not talking about the fact that the Bears' defense is struggling. opposing quarterbacks are completing 75% of their throws against the Chicago Bears.

Bad road team, the Raiders come back home, trying to establish some offensive dominance up front against the team. I think they'll run the ball on. I do. I think Gentie has a breakout game. I'm going to take the Raiders to win it, 27 to 23. Bengals and Broncos. Okay, Broncos are coming off two rough road losses. They lost both games when time expired. Denver's got the much better defense. Denver's got the better head coach.

Denver's got tremendous personnel up front defensively. I mean, they have the second best red zone defense, so even when you get down into the red zone, it is hard to get touchdowns out of Denver. They lead the NFL in Sacks. They also get their tight-in Evan Ingram back. This is big. This is big because Bo Nix hasn't been great throwing the ball deep this year.

They've missed on big play. So Evan Ingram is in that 12 to 14 yard space big for Denver's offense. The Bengals, worst rushing attack in the league, putting more pressure on an average quarterback, Jake Browning. They don't do a lot well offensively. You see the screen. I think Denver is an undervalued team with a much better roster against the Shaky O line, an excellent pass rush. I think Denver controls the game.

Bow Nix, by the way, not great in September last year, finally clicks. 30-20. They cover the spread. Take the Denver Broncos. So once again, looking at our picks,

I like favorites this weekend. Vikings, good road team. I think they have the better staff, better weapons, better run game, and playing better defensively, Minnesota to cover.

Panthers Patriots, I think, score points. I'm surprised that the over-under is only 43 and a half. The weather is cleared. I think it's a great spot for the Rams to cover. I don't like the Bears on the road. I can't go crazy. Bears are probably the worst road team in the league, and I'm going to take Denver.

So I will say this. I think the one team in the league that's actually really, really good that hasn't looked like it is the Denver Broncos. So Bo Nix last year was really bad in September. Bow-Nicks this year hasn't been good in September. What a coincidence, Drew Brees, his worst month as a saint, was September. Why? My theory has always been, Sean Payton puts a lot on your plate.

And in Drew Brees' last three or four years in New Orleans, starters don't play in the preseason. Bo Nix didn't take a lot of snaps in the preseason. And Sean Payton puts a lot on your plate. And I think it takes October, November, and December for Breeze and Bo Nicks to get their arms around the playbook. Sean Payton's career record in September. Sean Payton's, 500, 30 and 30. The rest of his career in October on is 50 and 17. So Sean Payton and his quarterbacks do not play well in September.

Isn't that crazy? Sean Payton and all-time coach. 500 in September. Drew Breeze, average in September. Drew Breeze is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. So I think as we get closer to the end, you get a very weak defensive personnel in Cincinnati. They can't run the ball.

Third and Longs, I think they pop this weekend. And here was Sean Payton on the early struggles of Bownecks. Just keep firing. You know, he's going to hit plenty of those. One of the things that's a gift is his off-souceton. schedule throws. So you just want to be careful how much you tell them. And then I think part of it is when you, when you settle into certain plays, there's a rhythm to, you know, the mechanics. Yeah. So I, there are things that are not a coincidence. Sean Payton never been a great September

coach, which goes against everything. Drew Breeze, all-timer, worst month was September. Bo Nick suddenly with Sean Payton really struggles in September. Now you're saying to yourself, well, it's still September. I believe this is a great spot. Extra day. You know, they get the extra day of prep. They're at home, high altitude, beat up defense for Cincinnati. This game, I think, they click and they looked apart.

I think this is the last really special team in the NFL that hasn't looked special yet. For the record, that Colts game, they had won. They re-kicked and lost. Chargers game. Couple opportunities. Missed on big opportunities downfield. All right. Dave Wanstats around the corner on the Bears, on USC, on the Cowboys. That's next. 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. Hey, it's Steve Kavino. And I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Kavino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern. two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and, of course, the I Heart Radio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world?

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth.

Be sure to check out Covino & Rich live on Fox Sports Radio on the IHeart Radio app from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich, wherever you get your podcast and, of course, on social media. That's Cabino and Rich. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, huge news?

We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys?

I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing.

a bit for the podcast for people could call in and say, Hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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 helped make you funny.

This week, my guest, S&L'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. Keith Giamanka seemed like a mild-mannered suburban dad,

but secretly, he became someone else, a master of disguise who went on a crime spree. At the time, did it seem like a crazy idea? It seemed very crazy. But I felt so desperate that I felt it was the quickest, easiest way out. Did you allow yourself to think about how it could go wrong on what that might look like? No. I didn't want to manifest that. I was trying to manifest success. Every family has its secrets.

But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living? a double life. That is not the look of an innocent man. This is going to change my life and my family dynamic forever because everything that had existed prior in my reality is now untrue. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here's something that should not be as complicated as it is,

getting a racist statue removed. And here's something that should be a whole lot easier than it is, getting a new one put up in its place. As long as there's a politics of race in America, there's going to be a politics of remembering the Civil War. To get to school, I had to go down Robert Ely Boulevard. Get to the grocery store, I had to go down Jefferson Davis Parkway. If you're an historian and you leave out half of what the history is, you're not doing your job. I'm Akila Hughes, and Rebel Spirit Season 2 goes deep on both of those things. The fights, the politics, the people who won, and my purpose.

personal campaign to add something to the Kentucky State House that's actually worth the wall space. We are more than our bodies. We contain essence. We contain spirit. How do you represent that? They are just fueling a fire that is really catching. You'll see what I mean. Listen to Rebel Spirit Season 2 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here's coaching pro in college football. Six seasons is the Bears head coach. How did that go here in Chicago? Are they still below how to go? You know what?

When you're winning, there's not a city better. I mean, they're good. You got the dolphins to the playoffs. Yeah, I'll let the bears in the playoffs. And no, it's a great sports time. You know, it's a big Pittsburgh, so I can relate to it good, you know. I mean, I think that's what I like me. I smoke cigars.

I drink wine and I got a mustache, you know. It's Chicago. It's Pittsburgh. Here we go. So I said this week at all, I don't, they're not, they have not been a good road organization. They don't play well in the road. Caleb struggled. It is, there is something that you feel, you can tell the city is so,

I mean, I was on the train yesterday and I heard people talking about it. And it was a couple guys talking about the game, like, I don't trust them on the road. I don't trust them against the Raiders. The Raiders are not a great team. Do you have a sense? I don't love their defense right now. I think their offense, they've gotten some stuff figured out. I just don't trust them on the road. Do you? I trust them on the road versus the Raiders. I know you don't. But I, you know, a couple of things happened last week. Number one, they were against Detroit. We had, there were guys open and Caleb threw the ball 10 yards over their head out of Bonds, DJ Moore. In this game,

when there were guys open for big plays, he made the plays. DJ Moore's touchdown at the end, pressure in his face down in the red zone. And he did not try to get out. He didn't. He didn't. didn't look at the rush, which some quarterbacks will do, and he did not try to escape, which he loves to do. He stayed in the pocket and hit DJ Moore for a touchdown. That's improvement. And then the third thing, which I love about Ben Johnson, which we saw at Detroit, coach, you know me. I ran Ricky Williams, I think 13 times in a row one game, you know. So I will run the ball. He had a nine and a half play drive. 19 plays and 11 more runs.

So those three things to me said, you know, Ben Johnson, if you let them run the ball and he will. And he had to. I mean, the defense, as you mentioned, they're just so hurt in the secondary, you know, having been at practices, watching Dennis Allen, what we saw at the end of that game

where the guys were six, seven guys at the line of scrimmage and then they're bailing out, and he rushed four, rush three. I thought Dennis Allen like the Blitz. He does, but the secondary. Jalen Johnson, They're two best defensive backs are out. Jalen Johnson, Kylo Gordon, and then their top sub who might have been a starter.

Terrell was, I think the kid from Minnesota's second year player. He got hurt, blew his knee out, he's out for the year. So they are banged up in the secondary. You blitz, you're going to play man, you play man, and guys can't cover you give up touchdowns. So I want to go and talk about Sam Darnold because I was always a huge fan, but I didn't think he came into the league. He was 21 years old, and I don't think he was on multiple levels. He was not ready to carry a bad franchise.

And then he goes to Carolina. That's a worst franchise. But he won in high school. He won at USC. He won at Minnesota. He won at Seattle. He is tied for the most game-winning drives with Mahomes. I always looked at him, and I was just like, he's big, he's an athlete, he's got a big arm,

and like no ego. You get the alpha without the ego. Are you surprised he's had this? two-year run. No, I think Kevin O'Connell did wonders for him at Minnesota. But I'll go back, way back when he was at USC. I was doing the college football then, and we were doing a game in a Coliseum. I think they played Texas or somebody.

And Liner, Matt Liner, S.C. guy, was talking to him after the game. I'm standing there. We were all talking. And then Matt, I know, had a couple meetings with him. And Matt was kind of encouraging, take another year. and then he went out and had the big game against Penn State and the Rose Bowl and he got hot and he got hot exactly and I always looked at draft pecks there's an old philosophy that says talent sets the floor character sets the ceiling and he was 21 in New York's a big loud city and he's a small he was in a small ocean side California he didn't grow up in LA he grew up in a little beach surfer town down in southern California yes you didn't listen to what I said okay talent the floor, character sets the ceiling. So his character is outstanding. I mean, you listen to him in the post game last night talking on TV. I mean, he's talking about the team and the defense.

Nothing about him. The next win. I think the guy is probably good in the locker room. I bet you the guys will enjoy playing with him and have him as a teammate. And he's one of those guys. You want him on your team. He's going to make you better. And in Minnesota, thing just gave him a shot of confidence that's that obviously we saw yesterday. I always thought my comp when he came out was I said it's Andrew luck. He's not that good. But Andrew could be a little reckless. And I think Sam is one of those guys coach. You have to give him a certain structure. Yep. Because he can he can add live pretty well. And you probably had quarterbacks like that. I think with Sam, we're going to throw 28 times. We're going to run the ball. Seattle likes to run the

ball. Yes. And I think it works with him. And play defense. And he talked about that. That's the great thing. When the quarterback comes out and says, boy, our defense really played good. And you talked about running the ball. You're right. I mean, he fits into that mold.

It's not going to be a drop-back, you know, Joe Burrow and throw it 50 times. Not what he is. That's not what he is. They know what he is, and they really take advantage of it. You know, I said, I've loved Kyler Murray for years. I've been a huge fan. But there is something that sometimes he feels a little detached.

His body language. and there are certain guys like Baker Mayfield, where I honestly think Baker Mayfield is buying beers at halftime. He is just, like, or Lamar Jackson feels like the soul of the Ravens. I get Mahomes yelling at his teammates or Peyton Manning. Sometimes with him, I feel like he's a little detached. Yeah. He's bad in one-score games.

He has a terrible record coming from behind. And I think late in close games, people don't look for talent. They look for guidance. They look for leadership. Yeah. If you ran them, would you... I feel that. I mean, I can't get the contract dispute.

You know, so many hours in the office. I mean, that's tough for me to get out of my mind when I see some things, throw them interceptions or something. You wonder just, were you prepared enough? You know, I'm sure he is. I always thought that he would be more of a Lamar threat with his legs and running the ball. He doesn't like running much anymore. That's not happening anymore.

And his supporting cast, I'm going to give him a little bit of help here now. God bless him. I'm a pit guy, James Connor, pit guy. When he went through his cancer battle, they weren't sure he was going to come back and play at Pitt. And how many years has the guy been, but he's been their star running back. They haven't stepped up there.

You know, Marvin Harrison, Jr. has been all over the map. A real slow starter. Let's be real. And who else, you know, the tight end? I like it, Brian. I like him. If you're a tight end, your leading receiver and your go-to guy, Coach, you're not going to score many points in this league.

You know, really? And that's kind of where they're at. So I don't think he's had the great supporting cast that some of these other quarterbacks have. Chiefs Ravens, one of them is going to go one in three. I said a lot of times, coach, I just, I trust my eyes. Great teams usually have a juice, like Seattle defensively. They're fast. And they're Arroyo, JSN, the receiver.

like these guys are playing. You can see on the television, Darnold's athletic ability, Walker, the running back from Michigan State. You watch Seattle and you're like, they got dudes in their prime. They have a lot of good young players. You watch the Eagles, their power game,

or you watch Herbert. When I watch Kansas City, I don't see any juice. No, no, zero juice. I agree with you. You know, it's surprising because I said this last week, maybe it'll happen this week. That Eagle Super Bowl,

when they were behind by 10 at halftime, and Mahomes was limping. And they came out the second half, and what did they do? They ran the ball with Pacheco. Remember, and that's how they won the Super Bowl. They ran the football. I thought that Andy Reed would get back to that more. You know, when you got one receiver not in there for whatever reason,

one's hurt, Kelsey's, you know, up in age a little bit, what's the easiest thing to do to help your quarterback run the ball? and they just haven't really made a big, in my mind, a big commitment to running the football. I think that may help give them a little bit of juice. I don't know, but it's, they're a one-sided team right now, a lot like Baltimore. You mentioned Baltimore. They got a great offense and no defense. I don't know what's going on with that defense.

They put up their talent and draft picks and money. I mean, these guys should be a top ten, top half in a league, minimum, minimum defense. and it's not happening, but at least their offense. They can win the ball. If you just go to a bend, I would probably go to a bend, but don't break defense because you know your offense is going to score points. I mean, those guys talk about talent and playmakers. That Baltimore offense is unbelievable.

It really is. Okay, you do a ton of college football, so you're as good as anybody in this Big Ten building we're sitting in right now. So Oregon Penn State, that's a long way to travel. when you were coaching college football, and you had to go into a harsh environment. Remember, in the NFL, you know, guys are 27, 28. You got 30-year-olds.

Some of these kids are 19, 2021. In college football, I almost always say, take the home team. If they're even, take the home team. How would you, when you went on the road in these big road environments, is there a trick to getting the best from your team? Well, you'd like to have, yeah, leadership is going to be the key, because you can say what you want.

as a coach, right? And you can show them all the movies and read all the books and all that stuff. But when they get out there and the crowd goes, you know, you'd like to have a veteran group on offense, okay? Because the noise is going to be a factor. Yes. And unfortunately, Oregon's going in there. I mean, coach, when they played Northwestern, 12 guys caught passes. Seven of them ran the ball.

Two freshmen scored touchdown. So Dan Lenning, who does a fabulous job, you got a new starting quarterback, and you've got these young players at most of the positions because you graduated a lot. And, you know, I think it's going to be a difficult challenge for him as long as Penn State doesn't give up the big play. As long as they don't give up the big. Right now, Penn State's leading the nation in SACs. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, USC was. I'm sorry. Penn State's right behind him, though.

Penn State starts four seniors on that defensive line. I mean, they are really good. And so they're going to put a lot of pressure physically on this Oregon offense and quarterback. You see how the young guys respond. Yeah, and Drew Allard, you know, here's an interesting point to think about it, because I kind of went through this a little bit at Miami. We had Vinny Testa Bertie. Okay, Drew Ellard, a quarterback from Penn State.

He comes back for another year. would have been drafted, who knows. In fact, a lot of those players did. Singleton, Allen, the two running back. No, they're backfields. Two off, two, they got three offensive linemen. Two of them are going to be top five picks, okay? First, second, or third, five rounds.

My point is, I want to see Drew Allen, their quarterback, because he comes back, and now you are expected to take us and win a Big Ten championship. You are, we're expected to win a national championship, and he's playing to be a first-round draft pick. That's a lot on that kid's plate. Now, to your point about Oregon, this should be noted. Oregon's road games. Dante Moore is the quarterback for Oregon.

Here's the road games he's played in his college career. San Diego State, Oregon State, Stanford, Arizona, Northwestern. It's a whole different ball game. Whole different ball. With the best defensive line he's ever faced. Yes. So it's a big ask. I want to ask you about USC.

You know, everybody think, I said this earlier here, everybody thinks Lincoln Riley, he just throws the ball. actually this SC team they're a run team you've seen them coach they're 55% run which shocked me until I started doing my prep work and then I think

Joe Clatter somebody made the comment when Lincoln Riley was at Oklahoma they had the they were number one in the nation in yards per rush so he has run the football he likes to run a lot of it might be quarterback which they can do enough out there

at USC but I'll tell you what It's kind of interesting because when I was coaching at USC, I went there, they were coming off for a bation. Not, not, I wasn't involved in that. That's one I wasn't involved with, okay? Okay, but my point was two years later, we're playing Ohio State and beat them in a Rose Bowl. You know, so this program, they've had a resurgence a lot faster. No one's talking about them. I think their booster stepped up.

Oh. Like they're the, nobody's talking about them right now. now. But Jen Cole and the athletic director, they built a $300 million facility. They're paying Lincoln 80 million, and their boosters came in hot. Their defensive line, they went and bought size. They're big. They're the ones that are leading the country in sacks. Yes, 16 sacks, and their offensive line are being talked about for the Joe Moore Award, which is, you know, best offensive line because they got four of the five guys back. These guys have been in the program. I mean, they've got them at all levels.

They really do got a nice football team. So I said this earlier. I always thought the Big Ten was a little top heavy, and I always thought the Pack 12 had better quarterbacks, more creative coaching, a little more speed. I think the Pac-12 is exactly what the Big Ten needed. And I also think the Big Ten weather and style forced, USC in Oregon to go buy bigger players with the NIL.

Yeah, I would, I would think the meshing has been perfect. Yeah, it has. Think about last year. Who was the Big Ten champ, Oregon. Oregon. You know, Oregon, the Speed team. They come in with the speed and they win the Big Ten. There has been a little bit of transition, I think, with both teams.

You know, the style play a little bit. You look at the quarterbacks. I mean, the Big Ten's got some great young, new quarterbacks coming up. Yeah, it has meshed well. But I think, you know, these fancy uniforms, Penn States, guys are wearing the black shoes. Big Tan's got better tradition. They don't look as fast. Penn State right now, their guys, take them out there and put them on a track.

They'll run foot for foot with Oregon. You don't think so. You're a West Coast guy, but I'm telling you, you don't think they do because they got the fancy uniforms and Penn State's got black socks on and their shoes, you know. James Franklin can recruit. They can recruit. They got players that can run. The best backfield in the country is Penn State. Can Washington at Husky Stadium? You've coached there. Can they beat Ohio State? Their quarterback. I have had two people, a former NFL quarterback and a current NFL exec said Washington's quarterback will be the best quarterback in this game. Yeah, here's the story line for this game. Matt Patricia, the defensive coordinator,

Ohio State. How I would agree with you. Washington is running for 250. They're throwing for 250 a game. Scoring 55 points a game. They are getting it. And their quarterback, everybody says, oh, he's a dull threat. Well, a dull threat for run for five yards or a dull threat to go 90. He can go 90 yards, okay, if you don't get him on the ground. I want to watch is what Matt, how's Matt Patricia going to handle it? Is he going to put Caleb Downs on him? You've got to have somebody else watching this guy. You have to have a spy on the Huskies quarterback. Absolutely. Or is he going to use one of the linebackers or drop a line? What's he going to do? But they're going to have to come up with a different scheme to deal with the quarterback or he can

beach himself. Yeah. We got great college football weekend. Oh, absolutely. One of the best Saturdays in a long time. The coach, Dave Wonstadt. We'll have herd line next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember.

I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And, well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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 IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Here's something that should not be as complicated as it is. Getting a racist statue removed. And here's something that should be a whole lot easier than it is. Getting a new one put up in its place. As long as there's a politics of race in America, there's going to be a politics of remembering the Civil War. To get to school, I had to go down Robert Lee Boulevard. Get to the grocery store. I had to go down Jefferson Davis Parkway. If you're an historian and you leave out.

half of what the history is, you're not doing your job. I'm Akila Hughes, and Rebel Spirit Season 2 goes deep on both of those things, the fights, the politics, the people who won, and my personal campaign to add something to the Kentucky State House that's actually worth the wall space. We are more than our bodies. We contain essence. We contain spirit. How do you represent that? They are just fueling a fire that is really catching. You'll see what I mean. Listen to Rebel Spirit Season 2 on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Keith Gianmanca seemed like a mild-mannered suburban dad, but secretly he became someone else, a master of disguise who went on a crime spree. At the time, did it seem like a crazy idea?

It seemed very crazy. But I felt so desperate that I felt it was the quickest. easiest way out. Did you allow yourself to think about how it could go wrong and what that might look like? No, I didn't want to manifest that. I was trying to manifest success. Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man. This is going to change my life and my family dynamic forever because everything that had existed prior in my reality is now untrue. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Play the Fox Super 6 NFL Challenge. Download the Fox Sports app and enter for a free shot to win your share of $10,000. One of the questions is which player will have the most receiving yards in week, for Puka Nakua, Malik neighbors, Amon Ra St. Brown, or Nico Collins. Who you got, Cowherd? Easy. Puka Nakua, back home with Stafford, Colt, secondary, pretty average. That's an easy one.

Take Puka. No, Devante Adams. Well, yet, he may play, but if he's out, it's going to be, yeah, you're right, heavy dust of puka. All right, J-Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

I'm going to start with some bad news. for the Washington commanders. Dan Quinn has just ruled Jaden Daniels out this week, Colin. Scary Terry McCloren, out this week. And wouldn't you know it? Marcus Marriotto will face his old team, the Falcons, who are now favored, favored against Washington. Listen, I tried to tell you earlier this week,

Falcons were plus three, then it was two, then it was one and a half. Now the Falcons are favored at home. Do you want to readjust your blazing, No, I've had no historic success. This is the number one stay away from it game on the board. Texans Titans is another stay away from it. I don't like either of them.

I think the bigger issue is Jaden Daniels got banged up last year. Jaden Daniels has banged up this year. It was the number one concern coming into the NFL that he was spindly. He was small. Could he withstand the punishment and the hits? So, you know, if your quarterback's the $10 million, chandelier. The insurance policy is the O line. So they got to get good up front because he is all time special, but this is now the second injury. So I think his knee was banged up on a scramble,

right? Which is why when I earlier was like, why isn't Kyler Murray running? People are like, that's why Kyler doesn't want to run. Listen, man, I don't know what to tell you. Like without Jane Daniels is a different team. Marriota can, he can be like a fifth starter in major league baseball, right? Fifth starter we'll throw you in there once you're fine. But I don't know going back to him if he gets it done this week. I like the falcons, but I like them a lot, unfortunately.

Next story, Colin is let's go to the undefeated Colts. Wow, that game out here in L.A. Sunday on Fox is going to be exciting. The last time they met was 2003. The Colts were down 23 and forced overtime before Stafford had a game-winning

Teddy Drive. Shane Steichen was on the sideline for that game and talked about how just how good Matt Stafford is. I think he's one of the best probably to ever do it. And I think there's a, he has a physicality about him. Like he's tough as it gets. I mean,

you see him taking shots and he gets up and he ain't coming out of the game. And that's respect there. He can make all the throws. You know, I think he does a great job of seeing it. I mean, like I said, he makes some big plays with his arm.

And when you got a guy that's done in a high love for a long time, He's seen a lot of different looks. And so getting them in out of the right plays is huge. He's been doing that for a long time. He actually missed. He can be, not that he's as streaky. He's a little like an NBA shooter that's always pretty good to good, but he can get red hot.

I thought he missed a couple of open opportunities. I also thought Puka dropped one in the end zone that could have sealed the game. So I think that game, you look at that blown loss, the Rams are a better team than the Colts. they have a better defense on all levels. I mean, the Rams secondary is not great. The Colts is worse. And I think this is the spot for the Rams.

This is one of my favorite bets of the weekend. I think the Rams, this is a really good spot for them. I think Daniel Jones has been good. There's three weeks of film. The Rams defensive front, it's loud. He's on the road. I think Daniel Jones pulls back a little. Is so far that loud?

You know, I don't know. That being said, let me ask you this, Colin. So we saw last night like staff, Sam Darnold will line up in shotgun right on fourth and one. Kyler Murray's in shotgun. Josh Allen, you can do so many more things out of that. Roll the pocket. You can't do a lot of that with Stafford. Is his ability to make every throw in the book?

Does that balance out his lack of running? Well, I mean, they're, they've got a star back. They've got a productive tight end usually. They've got two star receivers. And so, I mean, I think in the off season, One of the things they did, they got Terrence Ferguson from Oregon, who hasn't done much. Maybe it's because they're not using as many two tight-end sets. My take is, I think their offense is more than good enough to win a Super Bowl.

Their defense clearly is dominant. But, I mean, again, old school sit-in-the-pocket works. Jared Goff and Matt Stafford won a lot of games last year. I think they're fine. I think old school works if you got a strong run game and good perimeter weapons. and the Lions do and the Rams do. Last one. Colts, D.C. is Lou Amaruno.

He is battling the Rams. Remember, they faced off in the Super Bowl. Final story, Colin, is J.J. McCarthy. You know, as he's waiting, watching Carson Wentz step in, Kevin O'Connell is declining to address whether or not JJ will start when he's back. Phil Sims broke down why he's concerned about J.J. McCarthy, the second-year quarterback. What really makes me think it's just the throwing part of it. You know, he's just not throwing the ball well when he was out there.

I mean, it's a lot of work, and it seems like unless he gets to throw it as hard as he can throw it, that's the only time he somewhat puts it on target, on time and everything like that. I think they've got a lot of work to do if they want to turn him into what they call a franchise quarterback. And he's going to need a lot of work. Yeah, I think he looks overwhelmed. And I thought Bryce Young early in his career looked overwhelmed. I don't think he looks overwhelmed. Now he looks small.

I think JJ had one great corner against the bad Bears defense on the back end. But listen, I was told I was, I was sent a text in the offseason. You were bragging up at the time you were really bragging up J.J. McCarthy. I was. And somebody in the league texts me and they said, you got to tell your boy, J.Mack. This is a bigger lift than people think. He had lost confidence. He'd been hurt.

They needed more reps. So I think J.J. McCarthy, this almost feels like, honestly, like it's rookie year. Like it's just, he's behind the eight ball. I mean, listen, Aaron Rogers animated this week. He talked to the Vikings. We know they wanted to resign Donald. They like Daniel Jones, not at the price. So the Vikings had concerns about this, and they're built to win now.

So I think the J.J. McCarty thing, I don't think Vikings fans are surprised by it. I mean, when you're in Minnesota and talk radio and the local columnist, this has been discussed. It's not like I'm unveiling new presents on Christmas. Like, people have been talking about he's behind for a year and a half. So, you know, listen, I know I get it, Jason, you're going overboard with McCarthy. You know who else struggled in their first eight quarters in the NFL? It happened last year and it was your boy, Bo Nix, who came in with 50 billion college sports. starts. Colin, two picks in the opener, two picks in game two. They started 0 and two and everybody's like, Bo Nix. Game three, no touchdowns, but they beat Tampa. Game four, he threw for 60 yards against the Jets. You remember that Thursday night football? Bo Nick, this guy stinks. He ended the

season fine. Let's preach some patience with Mr. McCarthy. But Bo Nix had Sean Payton's unwavering 100% support. The message. from Minnesota's been, well, he's talented, but Sam, you want to sign again? I mean, there's been reports, multiple reports that Kevin O'Connell was interested in other quarterbacks. Sean Payton, to a point of many would say going overboard, loves Bownex, loves him. He's my guy. He's going to be great, not good. So when you have the full support of an organization publicly, like, like, like, he's my guy, he's going to be great, not good.

So when you have the full support of an organization publicly, like almost overboard, that's what Washington did with Jaden Daniels in his first camp. They're like, oh, yeah, this guy's unbelievable. So Sean Payton, full support, Washington full support. Minnesota, a lot of, hey, let's, in fact, there was this quote in the preseason. Can we slow down a little on the, this is a process. All the messaging has been their concerns. J. Mack with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd Lie News. I mean, in Denver, they got Russell Wilson out of the building. They wanted Bonix in the building. In Minnesota, they've been bringing other guys in the building. It's like, and they did want to resign Sam Darnel. Sam Darnel right now, Carson Wentz right now.

You know, I said this last week. Carson Wentz the second right now is better than J.J. McCarthy. Doesn't mean he will be in six games or six years, but he is now. And when you're going on the road to Dublin, you better bring your best team. So NFL schedule. Here it is. I actually think in both college football and in the NFL, it's a favorite's weekend. Seattle was the favorite last night.

It was a stayaway game for me. Minnesota's a favorite. I like him. Philly a favorite. I'm trying to find a dog I like to win outright. New York Giants? I mean, Jacksonville could be interesting. Okay.

Even if Purdy starts? We don't know if he's going to start. It sounds like they're leaning that way. Find me a dog that you like to win outright. Well, Jets. I mean, the Jets may, if Justin Fields plays, the Jets may be the best. I mean, listen, Tampa's a 3-0 undefeated dog with at home with Baker Mayfield. Okay.

That's why I'm like, you know. You're right. That's probably the best dog. That's why I stayed away. I think the Jets, if Fields plays, are a live dog in Miami. The Jets are a dog with fleas, Colin. Stay away, please. Jacksonville, San Francisco is interesting.

Are Brock Purdy and Mack Jones splitting snaps? Mack Jones is dinged up. It doesn't sound like he's going to go. I wouldn't be shocked if the third stringer was the backup to Purdy. They can't stay healthy. Urban Meyer, J-Max picks, our three. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers.

I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it.

But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy. 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, S&L'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. Every family has its secret. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life? That is not the look of an innocent man.

Is everyone lying to me about who they are? I felt such desperation. I felt it was what I had to do. Listen to Deep Cover the Family Man on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Someday into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio. Stop workout music and expert tips 24-7. Hey, head over to iHeart.com. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free right now.

Awesome health and wellness tips 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember, stick to the fight. When your heart is hit, it's when things seem worst that you must not quit. Don't quit. Body by Jake Radio, where hope meets momentum. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free. Have a great day. This is an IHeart podcast.

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