The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD - Hour 3 – Mark Schlereth weighs in on Ravens report, What would the Giants do with the no. 1 pick?

Episode Date: December 24, 2025

A report from the Baltimore Sun lays out how John Harbaugh has become tired of Lamar Jackson – Fox NFL analyst Mark Schlereth weighs in on the situation with the Ravens, plus the mess that Sean Peyton stepped into against the Jaguars. Maxx Crosby doesn’t want to hear about the first overall pick. Fox Sports football analyst Geoff Schwartz thinks USC is ducking Notre Dame regardless of the payoff for either side, plus previews the big matchup for Dante Moore and the Oregon Ducks against Texas Tech. Has Jaxson Dart regressed enough that taking Fernando Mendoza is on the table?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Fox Sports Radio. Well, it took some by surprise last week when the Broncos at home got dragged by Jacksonville. Mark Slareth covers that team as well as anybody. Been doing radio, very popular show in Denver for a long time. You know, we said this is that I knew what Sean Payton was saying in regarding to small market team it was just like they don't get a lot of attention like if you're in chicago and you're bad you get more attention than in jacksonville when you're good sean has stepped in it a few times did you make anything of those comments that apparently got jacksonville all riled up no i mean i

you know it was it was honest and um and you know i mean liam cohen's a lot like sean i mean he's a snarky um takes it personal vindictive um you know probably a very gracious loser but an absolute jerk when it comes to winning. And I, you know, I resonate with that. That's exactly how I'm wired as well. So yeah, I think that that's perfect. And Liam Cohen took an exception to it and, you know, put it on his entire team and good for them. They came out here and handled their business, you know, and I'm probably uniquely qualified to comment on this column because, you know, I was on a Redskin team that won 11 straight. I was on the Broncos team that won 13 straight. And one of the things that happens when you've got a winning streak like that, there's two things, really, that happen.

One is all those little things that you end up overcoming in a win. You know, hey, man, guys, we can't have a holding call here. That's going to cost us a game eventually. Hey, guys, this PI penalty. Hey, this procedural, this operational issue. We lined up in the wrong formation. Eventually, that's going to get us. Hey, guys, miss tackles.

Like, you miss a tackle. Eventually, that's going to get, hey, this busted coverage. and all those things that kind of get swept under the rug, you're like, oh, yeah, but we won, you know, so ha ha ha, ha, you're right, you know, we can't have that holding call there. All those things eventually come to fruition in a game like that, and that's what cost you a game. They probably had about 100 yards of real estate in mistackles alone

in that game the Broncos given up. So those are the things that cost you a game, and it's an opportunity to refocus. The other thing that happens, Colin, is your locker room. clears out. When you go on a run like this, man, it is one of the most annoying things because every week, more and more national media, more and more people want your time. They starve for your attention. And eventually you walk into a locker room and there's more reporters and more national media in that locker room than there are players. And then it gets you out of your routine.

You got to go hide in the training room or hide in the weight room or hide somewhere else in the facility. And it takes you out of your routine. So, So now the Broncos will get their locker room back. There will be less attention focused upon them. And that's a good thing. But that's kind of one of the things that happens to that people don't really realize when you go on a wind streak like that. You just kind of lose your facility. And it drives you crazy as a player.

So there's a story, Mike Preston, a respected reporter in Baltimore. And I have said for years, a story gets out when somebody wants it out. There's plenty of secrets in this league that are hidden forever or 30 years. So, you know, Harbaugh's getting some heat. The Ravens are getting some heat. Suddenly a story leaks out today. A lot of details. Lamar Jackson falling asleep in meetings.

Does not take criticism well. Late night video games. Doesn't want to practice in the morning. And for the record, hyperathletic, going to be 29 last year. Injuries that piled up, you know, six or seven different injuries last couple years. You know, Mark, I always had a feeling you played with one of these guys. There's always about five or six players, quarterbacks, in the league at any one time. That's it.

That if you're a GM, you don't even take a phone call. John Elway, you know, Marina, you don't take a phone. Then there's another seven or eight. You wouldn't make a call, but you may take one. And then there's 15 guys. You initiate the call. You're trying to upgrade a quarterback. You had Elway.

You don't even answer the phone. I said today, I think Lamar with his story, has gone to, from the first group to the second group where maybe you do make a you take a call from the Miami Dolphins of the Raiders. I mean, that's how serious I think the story is. Am I a little hyper here on that, hyperbolic?

No, I don't think so. I mean, I think you look at your franchise, you look at how you guys have won, how you guys have lost, all the things that have gone on in that situation. I think one of those things that you always constantly think about is what's next for us.

you know, what wins in today's game and can we continue to go down this road with a quarterback that's going to be 30 using him, his legs, his athleticism on the edge to attack defenses. Eventually, at some point, he's no longer going to be able to do that or

stay healthy while doing that. And then are we strapped and hamstrung by that salary? So if you've got an opportunity and you think, hey, man, it's coming to an end. Then you've got to be able to make a decision. And sometimes, you have to let, you know, really good players leave a year or two early, just to maintain and

manage your, you know, your franchise. I think one of the things, you know, it was interesting. When I first started working for Fox, I had a game after the San Francisco School 49ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo. And it was one of the first games that Jimmy Garabolo played for the 49ers. And so he walks into the meeting room, the first question I fire off right off the bat before I even introduced myself is handsome off you Brady go who wins and he went Hansa he went I win the handsome off right there which I was a little suspect about because Brady is incredibly beautiful but that said the second question I asked him calling was what did Brady teach you about playing professional football and he said that playing quarterback is not a job

it is a lifestyle and you have to adhere to the lifestyle you got to be the first guy in the last guy out, you've got to deflect all the praise when you went. You've got to accept all the blame when you lose. It is a lifestyle to play quarterback at a high level in this league. And if you're not getting that out of him, based upon that story, and you look at the injuries that pile up, you look at the age, you look at the dynamic nature he is as an athlete, and you say, how much longer can we play this way? And if you can get, you know, multiple first rounders, if you want to change the way your organization is structured, then certainly you take those phone calls and you listen.

Okay, so the Bears keep winning these games late. They play the Niners this week. By the way, Niners, two days less to prepare because they played Monday night, McCaffrey had 27 carries. They're 0 and 4 the week after he has at least 27 touches. So I thought they used him too much. I thought there were too many carries. I wouldn't have played him in the fourth, blah, blah, blah.

But Jemak and I have talked about this. I don't think it's luck when you win. games late. Denver had this. I think there's a belief. I think what happens in big situations, sometimes teams get tight. There's a little anxiety, and I think the more you win, it flips. And teams are like, oh, I love this. This is what we do. New England with Brady through the years. So my thing is, like recovering the onside kick is a little bit of a break, but they had a great defensive stand. They had two good offensive runs. What do you make of how the Bears are winning.

Yeah, it's been, it's been incredible. One, their control line of scrimbers are running the ball. And that always takes some pressure off of you. But I think the thing, as I watch the Bears, that just blows me away, like, I knew when people talked about Caleb Williams being a generational talent, you know, I knew that he was athletic, but I don't think I knew how athletic he was until I watched him play when things break down. His ability to manipulate the pocket, his ability to extend.

and keep plays a lot. And then his arm talent is supreme. Now, is he a final product yet? Is he a finished product where he can operate from the pocket and he can do the boring well? No, he can't. That's not his forte as of yet. That will continue to grow like it does with all young quarterbacks. But his ability to be off schedule and do special things off schedule is amazing.

And I think the other thing that ends up happening to young quarterbacks who come from college, right and are used to playing a little bit more off-schedual football is that when you get behind all of a sudden when you are in up-tempo no huddle um football it is more off-schedule instead of being what i always call 70-30 to win in this league is 70% of time you just got to be on-schedged you've got to do the boring well 30% of time things break down well that's not where he's best he's best at more 50-50 ball right and i think that's one of the things that happens is you get into these no huddle situations, the uptempo things, it limits and shrinks your playbook, the plays you're going to call so you're a little bit more familiar or a little bit,

you have a little bit better feel for those plays, and then it allows you to do what you do best, and that's to be an athlete. And I think that's why we see the bears making these dramatic comebacks. And that game, what was it, Saturday night against Green Bay, was absolutely phenomenal. What an unreal finish to that game. Okay, they're not a high profile. team, but you had the Bucks and the Panthers last week, and I thought Bryce Young outplayed Baker. If you're the GM, if you're Dan Morgan and Carolina, a sharp guy, you give him that fifth year option? What do you make of Bryce Young? Yeah, I would bring him back on that fifth year. I wouldn't sign him to a long-term deal. You know, I might make him go prove it to me again

next year and then maybe franchise him. You've got those things at your disposal. But the bottom line, I've done a lot of Carolina games, Colin, is do I think Bryce Young is a franchise I was quarterback. No, I don't. But has he improved every year? Yeah. But you know, you look at his improvement. He went from just under 60% to 61%. He's completing 63% of the balls right now. But I've always felt like if they don't run the ball well, then he's not going to lift that team up and carry them to a victory. And he kind of did that against Tampa Bay. 12 seconds left in the second half. Man, they bring zero blitz,

which is, you know, a Tampa Bay, Todd Bulls staple, and he hits federal McMillan for a big touchdown down the left-hand sideline. And then all of a sudden, the last drive,

he gets another blitz. It's Jalen poker down the right-hand sideline for a big 40-yard gain, and they kicked a game-winning field goal, and their defense gets to stop. So, like, he just keeps improving and essentially keeps proving people wrong,

And I tell you what, operationally he's big. He's just not a big, you know, he's just not a big strapping physical guy. So I think there's some limitations in the pockets and all those, in the pocket and all those things that make you question whether he could be kind of about franchise quarterback moving forward. Yeah, I love what you said about Brady and DeGaroplo. Quarterback is a lifestyle. That is really a fascinating quote. And it's Mark Schlerth. Love seeing you.

Merry Christmas to your amazing family, my friend. and all your kids and all your relatives. Great dad, you're one of the good guys in the biz, and I'm very happy for all your success. Merry Christmas. I appreciate it, call. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Love you, brother, and we'll talk to you soon.

Yep. He worked at the other place and this place, and just a great teammate, and he just keeps crushing. Yeah, I mean, it really is. That's the thing about Kyler Murray. The criticism was, you know, I always said this, is that, like I was talking about Pro Bowl quarterbacks and leadership. Jay Cutler had Pro Bowl quarterback.

He could have been a six-time Pro Bowl. I didn't think he was a great leader. I didn't think he galvanized guys. There's a lot of different things that go in a quarterback, and one of them is, are you kind of obsessed with it? Jay Glazer talks about this. Are you obsessed with the sport? No?

Oh, okay. Okay, because I need guys that are, especially at certain positions. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio, app. Pauli Fusco here with Tony Fusco. Yo, as everybody knows, we're the host of the award-winning Pauley and Tony Fusco show.

Yeah. But instead of us telling you how great we are, here's how Dan Patrick described us when he came on our show. Quick, knowledgeable, and funny, opinionated. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing? You're interrupting our promo. Yeah. He wasn't talking about you.

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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 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

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Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. A J-Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Brett Con, let's revisit this Baltimore Sun's story on Lamar Jackson. It is going to be the story du jour this NFL offseason. Some of the quotes from the article in the Baltimore Sun,

a major problem, a lot of it on the Ravens, is that there are team rules and then there are rules for Jackson. Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson, he becomes more withdrawn. It's clear that Coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson. Now, don't make this a shoot the messenger. Okay, everybody's been able to see this has been bad. building up all season. We know two years ago when Lamar got the extension, it was very contagious.

Not contagious, it was contentious, I'm sorry. Those two were going at it. Remember, he wanted the Deshawn Watson fully guaranteed, and they're like, we're not doing that. He got a very lucrative deal. Colin, it spikes this off season. 24% of the cap is what Lamar will chew up. That is brutal. Brutal.

He's earned it. He's a two-time MVP. I get that. But at the same time, you can't build a roster around. there's no path to fixing the offensive line magically. There's questions about Derek Henry. The defense was pretty toothless. I mean, you watch Drake May go up and down the field

in their most pivotal game of the season. They couldn't stop Drake May. I don't know, man. This is going to be fascinating. Yeah, and I think when stuff leaks from legitimate reporters, this is somebody that covers the team. When you cover a team and you have to face the music and face the athletes you criticize,

it's not easy. That's why a lot of local reporters, a lot of them don't have the courage they have to walk into that locker room every day. It's easy for me. I'm not in the locker rooms, right? So to report this stuff, it's got to be buttoned up and right.

You can yell and scream, but it's got to be buttoned up. I was at the Combine back when I was with the website, the big lead, and somebody's smart. I was like, oh, is there a rebuild coming? They're like, remember, the best time to rebuild is last year.

Okay? Ravens fans can talk themselves, into maybe, hey, Lamar comes back, he's healthy. You know, we got this next year. And then we can talk about, no, no, no, no. Then he's going to be 30. You know the injury history. Colin, I think they got to make a move this offseason.

Well, I think you definitely take calls. You know, if you're Miami, let's say you're Miami or the Raiders. Yeah. And now both are paying two and Gino. So both are paying a quarterback. So if you're paying Lamar and the quarterback and you're giving up draft capital, it is a huge, huge swing. Ideally, my take is there somebody else?

Who is a team in the NFL that needs juice at quarterback? It has cap space next year. Now, you start looking at it. Find a team that you're like, man, because with Gino and Tua, can you pay that and Lamar Jackson? That's tough. So find the team. Well, the Raiders are the one that make the most sense.

They're going to have a top three pick, maybe number one. And then you've got the decision. Do you want to start something with Mendoza in the desert? Or do you want to bring in Lamar and, hey, we make the jump instantly? I would do Mendoza. Well, the problem with that is how long is it going to take you guys to overtake the Chargers, Broncos, and Chiefs? Well, now with Lamar, instantly you're competitive, right? The problem is like, well, Brock Bowers and Lamar is a good combo.

Ashton Gentie. You've got a couple pieces. Colton Miller should return this week, the left tackle. The Miami Dolphins piece is really interesting. But what do you do? Are you going to find a taker for Tua? Are you going to dump him and then take the cap hit? I don't think you could build a team taking the Tua dead cap money and then bringing on L'A.

Baltimore may have to swallow some of the Lamar deal. But if they draft the quarterback, again, Denver swallowed a ton of Russell Wilson cap hit, but Bo Nix was free so they could deal with it. If you nail the quarterback in the draft, then it's fine if you have to pay some of half of Lamar's contract. So it's like 12% of your cap hit. You're like, yikes. But you draft somebody in the 20th place, Ty Simpson from Bama. He starts and you're not paying him anything for four years.

So Denver got through it by drafting well and getting a star quarterback or a high-end quarterback. There's ways. A lot of this cap, you can, you can mark, you can manipulate your way around it. And it really helps if you have a great draft. I mean, Arizona Cardinals could be interesting. He doesn't want to play there, though. Well, we don't know that yet. I mean, Arizona's a great, very good tax state.

You're big on the taxes, save some money there, warm weather. I mean, Vegas is zero and Miami's zero state tax. That's better than Arizona. I think Arizona is 6% or something like that. Yeah. All right, let's move on. Actually, let's go to the Raiders, Colin. interesting game this weekend against the Giants.

They're calling it the Toilet Bowl, Giants, Raiders. It's opposite Packers and, I'm sorry, not in Packers. It's opposite Eagles Bills, which is the game of the week. But there is an interesting angle here. It's basically for the number one pick, and everybody's talking about tanking this weekend. Hey, don't mention that to Max Crosby. He does not care.

Yeah, I don't give a shit about the pig. Like, to be honest, I don't play for that. I don't. That's not my job. My job is to be the best defensive in the world. And that's what I focus on every day and being a great leader and being an influence and being a, you know, being that guy on a consistent basis for my team. I love that guy. By the way, Arizona State tax 2.5% my bad.

Don't drive off the road if you're in Scottsdale. I love Max Crosby so much. Who you got in this one, Colin? Probably the Giants. So I have in bed on the Raiders. I don't think all season. That's not. This might be the spot.

Okay. I don't know. I mean, there's not a lot. So I try not to bet on games I don't want to watch because it's just I have to sit there last week and watch the Vikings Giants for three and a half hours. Unpleasant experience. Oh, it was I literally called a dentist and said, can you get me in on a Sunday? I'd rather do that. Brutal.

We'll see. The Colton Miller get back is big. I think the Raiders are trying. We watch them against the Texans. Oh. I don't think the Giants are any good. And by the way, this would set up the Giants with the number one pick. And then remember, the Giants fan base loves Jackson Dart.

They're all in on him. He's a cool guy, Colin. Remember the GM? That's a guy. I still have my job. And it sets up like, what do you do with Dart Mendoza? Fun story out of New York. He can always find good angles in the NFL.

All right, let's wrap up before Christmas with this one, Colin. We're giving you a nice little present here with Aaron Rogers. I've been very critical of Rogers. He's delivered, and this play that he did against the Lions right before the half, the touchdown bomb to Kenneth Gainwell. Listen to the audio. It's pretty awesome. This side, this side, on the, run flat to the right.

Way out, run to go, all the way out. Rogers off his back foot, throws it down the way. He thinks he has a touchdown. He catch it? Excellent. He caught it. The display was spectacular. Sorry if you're in the car.

Aaron just go out there and run a go route. He basically said this is what we're doing, and how did the Lions? still let it happen. And again, I've never played linebacker in the NFL. But if I hear that, it's the end of the half. It's like... Well, you're in a loud stadium. You're in a loud stadium.

And by the way, now I have to communicate it as a Mike linebacker out with a corner and the ball snap. So Aaron's like, do a go route. Do a go route. Hi, boom. How much time do you have to try? Hey, left corner. He's going to run a go route. So Aaron says it and the way he said it was,

run a go route. Go do a go route. Hey, right. Boom. That was a huge play. They gave up a touchdown there late. I mean, that was just devastating. I'll add this. Kenneth Gainwell has been freaking awesome.

Oh, yeah. For the Pittsburgh Steelers. And you know, the Eagles had him. And once the quarterback gets paid, the Jalen hurts you. Hey, we've got to prepare for this. We don't want to lose on the O line. Running back depth, goodbye. And now you lose Gainwell.

And Tank Bigsby's good, but they had to trade for him. Remember, because Will Shipley was the backup. He gets hurt. And so, again, these quarterback salaries really dinged. depth. And it's been a huge get for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nice job by the GM there. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. The seven biggest games of the college football season are around the corner. Jeff Schwartz, formerly as you know, a former Oregon duck NFL is going to be joining us. Plus some NFL stuff

to discuss next. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app. 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 a... 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 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.

podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite on Humor 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 Guy Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 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

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Search Learn the hard way and listen now. 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.

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 Slicalife-12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay. Jenchian win. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted.

She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world. right now and I actually can win on any surface because if she's serving well good luck consider this your court side seat to the French Open listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the iHeart radio app Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts presented by capital one founding partner of iHeart women's sports I'm all fired up for Jeff Schwartz our love of college football okay so I get a lot of heat let's bring in Jeff Schwartz Fox Sports analyst former NFL offensive

of Lyman, Oregon, Duck. So I said, I still can't believe that USC fans are okay with Notre Dame having a side deal with a tournament. Notre Dame being a partial member of a conference, Notre Dame being able to manipulate buys before their game with USC, much easier when you're a partial member of a conference with a much weaker schedule. and USC fans are like, sure. Yeah, we'll play it whenever you want.

I'm like, USC fans. You, to me, it's unbelievable that USC fans are just like giving Notre Dame side deals, we'll play whenever. But maybe I'm wrong on that. How do you see it? Okay, all those things are true. That memorandum of understanding is bad. Like, I can't believe that people sign that the Notre Dame gets to be in if they're top 12th.

All the things are true. But USC's won out of this for a couple of years now, right? Like they've won out of this game. They got out of this game. Look, USC fans love to talk about the Pete Carroll years or 20 years ago. They love talking about it. What did Pete Carroll do, though? He's scheduled tough, right?

Because to win championships, you've got to schedule these games, right? They went to, I think, D.C. off the top of my head, played Virginia Tech, right? Went to Arkansas. They smoked those teams, but they scheduled tough. Look at what Notre Dame or Miami or A&M did to all play charter the season, and they're ducking a game that they've been losing. And there's many reasons for that. And some of you mentioned, and USC has their reasons,

and Notre Dame has their reasons, but the fact is they're canceling a game that has only missed World Wars and COVID. Otherwise, they've played every year. And look, let's be honest, if USC was competitive in these games, they would play them, right? It would help their resume to beat Notre Dame. But in the end, all things about Irish are true. They need to join a conference. I can't believe again, did they get this preferential deal where they basically have to be in the top 12? I mean, there's a scenario where USC could beat them, be ranked higher than them, and then not go to playoff because Norda Ames in the top 12 which again, that's silly

to me. Yeah, and here's the other thing. When Pete Carroll was the coach, if you won the PAC 12, which was awful during Pete Carroll's run, it was the weakest it's been you could play for a natty. Now you've got, they're in the Big Ten, which is a much

better conference, and you also now go into a playoff. So to me, I understand your argument, but all these guys going back to the old days, Jeff, the world has changed. Is Nick Saban refused to go on the road his last 10 years for an out-of-conference game. You played in Tuscaloosa or it was neutral. Nick is like, I'm not going to go on.

I don't even care if it's like kind of a top 20 program. So I think Saban was the first and nobody called him scared and they would have probably won those games. But Nick's take was when you're playing NFL bodies for 12 weeks, I'm not adding another group of great players. I think the difference here too is that USC doesn't have that cache at the moment but Nick Saban did right obviously because they haven't won at that level

and I think people look at Lincoln Riley's program right now and question at times the toughness and the physicality and then you're ducking a game against the team that you need to kind of to sort of beat to win championships right you need to beat a team like Notre Dame to win a championship like just that style of play right you have to do that potentially over three or four weeks so I think Nick Saban has a different argument because they were winning

championships. USC hasn't gone there yet. Now, maybe not playing Notre Dame and putting someone else in will get USC to 10 and 2 and a big, you can finish 10 to the big 10. You're probably a playoff team and then you can prove all the doubters wrong if you get a playoff spot. Yeah, I have a good source or two at USC and I think their feeling was, we'll play you, but our core class schedule of trigonometry, chemistry, and physics is a lot tougher than yours of basket weaving in woodshop and gym. So if we're going to, If you take schedules and look at Notre Dame's next year, it's embarrassing. And Notre Dame knows it.

It's awful. Toughest game is Miami at home. They'll be favored double digits in almost every game. So I think what USC felt is, okay, let's look at our schedules like core classes. Ours, USC, Ohio State, Oregon, Washington, at Penn State and India will play you. We're not playing you in the middle of our physics midterm. We'll do week zero. That to me is a way, because I don't think U.S.C. said no.

I think they said, okay, you have a side deal. You have a weaker schedule. It's got to be on our terms. Isn't that realistic? Well, they certainly said that, right? I mean, the week zero thing is not actually possible based on the rules of scheduling. Like, you have to have a Hawaii game or some sort of weird situation to play week zero. And USC has been better on Norley-Eleash-Riley-Earned the season.

well so you get that opportunity to play the mirror in the year certainly benefits USC more than it benefits noradame so i get the argument why USC would would want to do that look i think if both teams wanted to make it happen Colin it probably still gets done right and it just does and and neither team wanted to budge on what they wanted out of this relationship and now it's off for a little bit and maybe never comes back i don't know um we'll see obviously how it goes this year and whether it affects either of the teams look the irish schedule is look at nor name has to join a conference right Like they have the best situation of anyone. They don't have to join a conference,

don't have to play a conference championship game, which seems to not matter anyways, toward rankings, and then also get this deal with the finish in the top 12 with the schedule you mentioned. Look, BYU should be difficult to play at on the road, but 11 and 1 gets you a playoff spot, right? So they have it the best of both worlds.

I still think USC shouldn't duck them, but I get both arguments. Okay, Oregon, Texas Tech. I think it's upset alert. Do you? No. I think we'll be okay. So here's my thing about Oregon at the moment,

but also playing a team by Texas Tech, is that Texas Tech has just not seen Oregon's offense. There's no one on their schedule is like Oregon's offense. Now, you can put on ASU's film because of Kenny Dillingham, and that's sort of what you might see Oregon do, but no one all sees them just try to run directly at Texas Tech right in the middle. Their edges are great. Height, Bailey, Rodriguez and Will Whitebecker,

those guys are absolutely studs. They are dudes. But the middle of their team, sort of no one really tried that. There were opportunities to throw deep Arizona State showed that. And just Texas hasn't played a defense. It was an offense like Oregon. Now, on the flip side, Oregon hasn't played probably a defense like them since they played Indiana. They did play Penn State.

Still a good defense. Iowa was still a good defense. And then one thing on the other side is, look, Oregon's defense this year has been great. Don't take the third quarter of the GMU game and take it seriously. Before they play GMU, every single team they faced, scored under. What they do, their yardage, we're under their average. And one thing that I think benefits Oregon's defense in this game is Texas Tech has sort of a stationary quarterback.

We struggle stopping quarterbacks that run, which a lot of teams do, by the way. It's nothing new. So I like, look, I think our team's really good, man. I like our chances. I think it's a really close game. We've handled adversity well all season. We're healthier now, which is hugely important, especially offensively. It's give me a great game.

I think a low-scoring game, a controlled environment for both teams, just trying not do too much, not make mistakes. Can't turn the ball over. just like number one in the country in field position because their defense sets him up in good spots. I got a touch on this. Jackson Dart has regressed the last three weeks. People got film.

He's been banged up. If the Giants get the number one pick and can take Fernando Mendoza, their fans are outraged by the suggestion you should think about it. What would you do? Giants GM, you get the number one pick. What would you do?

Oh, man. I mean, Mendoza plays a, style of football that's going to keep him healthier. I know Giants fans hate that discussion, but it is true, right? He is excellent in the pocket. He's going to throw the ball as quick as possible. He's going to find the open guy. He's not going to move like Dart, which I think you sort of need in today's game, though,

like that's sort of the question. But Dart has all the physical skills, man. The Giants have so many holes in their roster, but they might not be like a Mendoza away from being good and can use those draft picks to have. help Jackson Dart. This game this weekend's for the number one pick, right? Raiders Giants.

I'm curious to see if, look, tanking is not an actual thing that happens on Sunday, except like one time it does a year maybe, and I'm curious to see if either team, Brock Powers is not playing, right? I'm curious if either team sort of kicks the field goal, punch the ball here. But to be fair, like the Giants coaching staff doesn't care if they have the first pick next year. They won't be there. That's also part of tanking, right?

Like the staff has to want to lose the game. Mike Capman's not going to want to lose the game. He's coaching for his job or for his future. So kind of curious to see how that one goes this weekend. Hey, fun fact, I've got to mention this. Jeff Schwartz is facing J-Mack in the Fox Sports Fantasy Football Championship. Yes. And anybody that watches this show knows that J-Mack has,

likes to insert it about four times a week. So I'm rooting for, I mean, I hate to say this to J-Mack, but he'll be impossible to deal with if he wins it. He needs to be humbled. So I want an overtime thriller, but Jeff, good luck on that. Jeff, Jeff has a quarterback issue. So do I. He has Cam Ward.

Yes, Cam Ward. And I've got Justin Herbert against the Texans. So it's not looking great for me. Yeah. I don't know who else I got. I got Kirk Cousins on my bench, Jeff. Should I go to Kirk Cousins? Out of all the things I care about football-wise,

I hate to admit it, but fantasy football is at the very, very bottom of it. And so beating J. Mack, who cares a lot. I didn't know we were in the playoffs until a text. two weeks ago said, hey, Schwartz, you're looking to upset the number one seed. So I was like, great. So now I'm all in, though. I'm all in this week. I'm in the money. Just for the money now. Yeah, low four figures, Cowherd. There's a, this is a jump change here.

Yeah. I'm looking forward to it. Okay, you too. Can't wait. Jeff Schwartz, Fox Sports. Good seeing you, buddy. Take care. Thank you, guys.

Have a good holiday. All right. You too. Yeah, I mean, he paused on the Mendoza thing. He's like, oh, boy, this is tough. Because Mendoza is big, sits in the pocket, gets rid of the ball quick. He's not going to be in the blue tent. Are you noticing this?

Some guys, some of these draft analysts are lukewarm on Mendoza, Colin. And I'm starting to see, I got a bone to pick with our guy, Daniel Jeremiah. He doesn't like him. I mean, he's not like he's the number one lock. And I'm like, I don't, I just don't get, what are we missing on Mendoza? Well, he's not a runaround guy and everybody likes mobility. He's a big, strong kid. I will say this.

I really like him. somebody I talked to likes him. He thinks he's the best quarterback. But he doesn't love him. He's like... That's fair. He's like, he doesn't have Caleb's talent. He doesn't think he... He said he is not as good a prospect as Drake May. That's what I was...

I would agree. Yeah. So much fun. So much fun. Merry Christmas, everybody. 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 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Turn someday into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio. Nonstop 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 hardest hit, it's what 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. I heart radio. 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. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Conkey, his best friend and business manager.

And we've got a new show called The 1021 podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.