Transcript

Miami-Indiana College Football Title Reaction + Fernando Mendoza in NFL | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD

From The Herd with Colin Cowherd · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 42 min · 7,396 words · 82 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Miami-Indiana College Football Title Reaction + Fernando Mendoza in NFL | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD", an episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd published January 20, 2026 (42 min, about 7,396 words). It mentions 23 people, works and ideas, including Colin Cowherd, Urban Meyer, NFL, Indiana University, Big 10.

What this episode is about

The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of college football, particularly after the Indiana-Miami championship game, emphasizing the increase in player maturity and experience, which contributes to more sophisticated and mistake-free gameplay. It contrasts this with the traditional perception of college football, showcasing how older, seasoned rosters and the presence of NFL-caliber athletes are elevating the quality of the sport.

Key takeaways

  • Indiana's football transformation shows that great coaching and smart recruiting can change the narrative—welcome to the new college game.
  • NFL-like sophistication in college football is here; mistake-prone teams are increasingly becoming relics of the past.
  • With the evolution of NIL and the transfer portal, even underdogs like Indiana can dream big—'Why not us?' is the new mantra.
  • Buffalo's tension over McDermott’s exit reveals that NFL success is a double-edged sword; high expectations can lead to quick fallouts.
  • The coaching industry is as volatile as the game itself; a couple of bad seasons can turn a beloved leader into yesterday’s news.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 5:00: Colin Cowherd, Curt Signetti, Indiana University, NFL
  2. – 10:00: Buffalo, Josh Allen, Colin Cowherd, Indiana University
  3. – 15:00: Andrew Luck, Hard Rock Bet, Big 10, Fernando Mendoza
  4. – 20:00: Ohio State, Big 10, Notre Dame, Tennessee
  5. – 25:00: Tennessee
  6. – 30:00: Urban Meyer
  7. – 35:00: Big 10, Ohio State, NIL, Curt Signetti
  8. – 40:00: Ohio State, Urban Meyer, Big 10, Fernando Mendoza
  9. – 41:59: Nick Saban

Notable quotes from "Miami-Indiana College Football Title Reaction + Fernando Mendoza in NFL | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD"

  • Welcome to the Herds official YouTube channel. Make sure to like and subscribe. Don't forget to check out the Colin Coward podcast, all of our NFL instant reactions, and more football.
    about Colin Cowherd · at
  • Defenses, offenses, much more sophisticated. That's why Sunday football has always been three times to four times higher rated than college football. College football can be regional and provincial and full of.
    about NFL · at
  • Points. Last night, three of Indiana's biggest plays came after Curt Signetti timeouts. Very NFL feeling. Fernando Mendoza on that TD run talked about expecting a zone, seeing…
    about Fernando Mendoza · at
  • Now you got to get the coach right. And Kurt Signetti is like Nick Sabin without the charm and a little bit of a sense of humor. He's got neither. He is dead serious. He is all business. And the.
    about Curt Signetti · at
  • We're I guess we're 27 and two since Indiana, but we're 16 and0. 60 national, champions, at, Indiana University, which I know a lot of people thought was never possible.
    about Indiana University · at
  • Pretty clear the Big 10 is pulling away from the SEC. Three straight natties.
    about Big 10 · at
  • Matched up with Indiana, Ohio State and Miami. And a lot of it was the checkbook. Sorry, a lot of it was the checkbook. Good coaching good quarterback play.
    about NIL · at
  • You this Miami outfit, they're not going away. That on paper, Miami had a roster that I stood next to Miami and watched them warm up. That was every bit of the old SEC dominant looking team. but Indiana football.
    about Urban Meyer · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Colin Cowherd — Person · Host / main speaker · 3 mentions · first at
    Primary narrator driving the episode’s analysis of the Indiana–Miami title game, NIL/portal impacts, and NFL coaching/GM decisions (Bills, Titans, etc.).
  • Urban Meyer — Person · Main guest (interviewee) · 4 mentions · first at
    Provides expert, on-site perspective on the title game, NIL-driven roster age/maturity, and Miami/Indiana program trajectories.
  • Fernando Mendoza — Person · Referenced athlete (featured player in discussion) · 4 mentions · first at
    Central on-field figure in the college title-game segment; praised for a decisive TD run and compared stylistically to Andrew Luck and Josh Allen.
  • Curt Signetti — Person · Referenced coach (key subject in college segment) · 4 mentions · first at
    Presented as the architect of Indiana’s championship run and culture; contrasted with Nick Saban in demeanor and program-building approach.
  • Mario Cristobal — Person · Referenced coach (key subject in recruiting/NIL segment) · 1 mention · first at
    Discussed as Miami’s driver of aggressive NIL/portal strategy and elite recruiting; credited with a strong game plan despite the loss.
    They'll be favored to win the natty next year. They already are. But with Mario Crystal Ball, you're getting a highly aggressive NIL, a highly aggressive transfer portal team, and Dade and Broward County, probably the richest.
  • Andrew Luck — Person · Referenced comparison / benchmark athlete · 5 mentions · first at
    Used as a gold-standard QB prospect and stylistic comp to frame Mendoza’s physical run and temperament.
    Mendoza on that TD run talked about expecting a zone, seeing man-to-man. It was a little of both. And like Andrew Luck, Elway, Josh Allen put his head down, got hammered, and…
  • Josh Allen — Person · Referenced athlete (NFL QB) / comparison point · 5 mentions · first at
    Appears in two contexts: (1) stylistic comp for Mendoza’s physical run; (2) centerpiece of Bills roster-window discussion and organizational pressure.
    Mendoza on that TD run talked about expecting a zone, seeing man-to-man. It was a little of both. And like Andrew Luck, Elway, Josh Allen put his head down, got hammered, and…
  • Nick Saban — Person · Referenced coach (benchmark for program building) · 2 mentions · first at
    Serves as the archetype for elite college program construction; used to characterize Signetti’s seriousness and to discuss SEC vs Big Ten shifts.
    Humor. He's got neither. He is dead serious. He is all business. And the truth is Sabin got funnier and more charming after the rebuild was complete at Alabama. This is…
  • Albert Brer — Person · Referenced reporter / analyst · 1 mention · first at
    Cited as an external authority describing increased tension/pressure inside the Bills organization tied to their Super Bowl window with Josh Allen.
    There, was, a, different, feel, in, that building the last couple of months. More tension. I think more pressure on everybody. They realize what they've got in front of them. The opportunity that.
  • Jim Kelly — Person · Referenced athlete (historical Bills era) · 1 mention · first at
    Used to anchor Buffalo’s prior winning era (Marv Levy/Jim Kelly) as a contrast to the current Allen-era pressure and coaching change.
    Buffalo has been a winning NFL city for a couple different stretches in my lifetime and probably yours. The Marv Levy, Jim Kelly years and now the Josh Allen Shawn McDermott…

Companies & orgs

  • Buffalo Bills — Company · Business focus · 2 mentions · first at
    Discussed in the context of their recent coaching changes and playoff performances.
    Buffalo has been a winning NFL city for a couple different stretches in my lifetime and probably yours. The Marv Levy, Jim Kelly years and now the Josh Allen Shawn McDermott years and now he's.

Concepts & topics

  • NFL — Concept · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at
    Central theme of the episode, discussing the quality of college football compared to the NFL.
  • Big 10 — Concept · Core topic · 9 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a dominant conference in college football, surpassing the SEC.
  • NIL — Concept · Strategy · 1 mention · first at
    Discussed as a key factor in the success of college football programs like Indiana and Miami.
  • SEC — Concept · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a conference that has fallen behind the Big 10 in college football dominance.
    Georgia won a national title in the early 80s and completed one pass. No thank you. Not interested. The SEC which has now fallen behind the Big 10 Notre Dame and Miami, has…

Places & events

  • Indiana University — Place · Setting · 2 mentions · first at
    Primary location discussed in the context of college football and its national championship win.
  • Miami — Place · Setting · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as a competitor in the national championship and a city with a growing economy and sports culture.
    Miami's Dline and O line, those are NFL bodies. Miami's got a defensive lineman about to turn 25. Indiana by design is a roster filled with mature 22 and 23 year olds, both quarterbacks, three-year.
  • Ohio State — Place · Setting · 10 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as a traditional powerhouse in college football and a competitor to Indiana.
    The only two teams I watched play Indiana this year was not Alabama. I can assure you that. The only two teams that matched up with Indiana, Ohio State and Miami. And a lot of…
  • Buffalo — Place · Setting · 7 mentions · first at
    Discussed in the context of the Buffalo Bills and their recent coaching changes.
    Levy, Jim Kelly years and now the Josh Allen Shawn McDermott years and now he's gone. And the tension is because Brandon being the general manager since Josh Allen arrived has…
  • Notre Dame — Place · Setting · 4 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as a strong competitor in college football with significant NIL resources.
    Georgia won a national title in the early 80s and completed one pass. No thank you. Not interested. The SEC which has now fallen behind the Big 10 Notre Dame and Miami, has…
  • Tennessee — Place · Setting · 4 mentions · first at
    Mentioned in the context of college football and the SEC.
    Look, how, good, Illinois, was, this, year.
  • Purdue — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as a potential next Indiana in college football success.
    Ask yourself, are you the next Indiana?

Sponsors

  • Hard Rock Bet — Product · Sponsor · 3 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as a sponsor of the show, promoting betting on sports events.
    Find a winner, live bet between snaps and a few easy tabs. If you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet there's time for you and get 150 bucks in bonus bets. If you win, just place a $5 bet. If it hits, you not only get.

Full transcript with timestamps

Welcome to the Herds official YouTube channel. Make sure to like and subscribe. Don't forget to check out the Colin Coward podcast, all of our NFL instant reactions, and more football content. Here we go on a Tuesday with all sorts of activity in the coaching industry, in the National Football League. We are live or in Chicago, it's the herd. wherever you may be and however you may be listening whatever the platform, thanks for making us part of your day. Well, I was uh like many of you, most of you watching a sports talk show. Uh I sat and watched Indiana Miami last night. Not only the first 16-0 team, but for the first time I ever remember watching a national championship in college football. It felt like 50% NFL and I am here for it. College football rosters are getting older wiser.

Miami's Dline and O line, those are NFL bodies. Miami's got a defensive lineman about to turn 25. Indiana by design is a roster filled with mature 22 and 23 year olds, both quarterbacks, three-year starters. That's why Indiana plays such mistakefree football. It's an older smarter roster. What last night allows is more sophisticated defenses. Miami is doing part zone, part manto man on the same play. You've got Indiana never fumbles no errant snaps, they don't throw interceptions. They rarely get penalized. Defenses, offenses, much more sophisticated. That's why Sunday football has always been three times to four times higher rated than college football. College football can be regional and provincial and full of mistakes. It's rare that you see a good college program with even decent special teams. But college football has officially grown up and last night felt different. Three-year starters at

quarterback, players getting paid players staying in college longer. That's never a bad thing. And the product on the field to me reflects it. Georgia won a national title in the early 80s and completed one pass. No thank you. Not interested. The SEC which has now fallen behind the Big 10 Notre Dame and Miami, has always felt too ground and pound. Oh, Miss is the new way to win. Lot of offense, lot of movement, some trickery, and score points. Last night, three of Indiana's biggest plays came after Curt Signetti timeouts. Very NFL feeling. Fernando Mendoza on that TD run talked about expecting a zone, seeing man-to-man. It was a little of both. And like Andrew Luck, Elway, Josh Allen put his head down, got hammered, and scored that touchdown. I don't know. Indiana to me is absolutely great for college football. It's a football starved Midwestbased alumni, huge alumni that has always been in the

shadow of an Ohio State, a Michigan, a Penn State, a Wisconsin, and Iowa for football. To me, Indiana is a shining beacon of hope. If you get the coach right, you got a couple of well-healed NIL boosters, you don't need five-star recruits. It it'd be nice going forward to have some, but suddenly you look around if you get the coach right with the NIL and transfer portal and you ask yourself, why not us? The Indiana football story was not possible pre-portal. It was not pro possible pre-NIL. You couldn't have done this.

Now you got to get the coach right. And Kurt Signetti is like Nick Sabin without the charm and a little bit of a sense of humor. He's got neither. He is dead serious. He is all business. And the truth is Sabin got funnier and more charming after the rebuild was complete at Alabama. This is probably right now for this time what the Hooers need. But last night was also what college football needed. A new story, a new champion, a new way of doing business. That is the greatest script ever written in the history of college football. It was so totally cool and so totally 60 to0 perfect.

Indiana deserved every part of last night with this coach. The big boosters they're going absolutely nowhere. Ask yourself, are you the next Indiana? Why not Purdue? Why not Michigan State? Why not Kentucky football? Why not us? Here's the humorless head coach. As brilliant as he is after

it's, a, great, thing., Indiana, uh, win, a national championship two years into our tenure. Uh you do it with people and a plan. Can't say enough about our uh senior leadership and the people we have in the locker room and the people we have on our staff. And we're 16 and0 and we're I guess we're 27 and two since Indiana, but we we're 16 and0. 60

national, champions, at, Indiana University, which I know a lot of people thought was never possible. Couple more natties and my guess he'll crack more regularly a smile. There's a lot of tension in Buffalo today. Buffalo is one of those great American cities where people, despite the snow drifts, are proud of being from there. Buffalo has been a winning NFL city for a couple different stretches in my lifetime and probably yours. The Marv Levy, Jim Kelly years and now the Josh Allen Shawn McDermott years and now he's gone. And the tension is because Brandon being the general manager since Josh Allen arrived has what 56 draft picks two Pro Bowlers. Is he, as many are claiming, kind of a suckup to the owner?

I was told months ago he's more of a cap guy than a personnel guy. He's a smart guy. Got a little bit of an ego, but Buffalo fans in media are a little bit tense today because of the firing. But let me just say this. It's easy to do the Pittsburgh thing. Hey, we're over 500. The playoff wins are overrated. It's hard to do what Buffalo did. Shawn McDermott was well-liked and respected 98 and 50 with eight playoff wins. They just couldn't beat Mahomes and Andy Reid joined the club. What probably was his undoing because we all thought he was safe after beating Jacksonville in Jacksonville, a very good team. According to Vic Karuchi, a respected reporter covering the Bills for a long time, five weeks ago McDermott met with Brandon Bean and the owner.

McDermott, and this takes some guts, sat down with his two bosses and said, "I don't think we have enough allstar level, Pro Bowl talent to win a Super Bowl." According to Vic Karuchi, it did not go over well. So, and and I will say this, Buffalo found ways to lose every January. They couldn't get the tush push right. That was a year ago, the 13-second loss. This year, five turnovers and complaining about officiating as Bo Nicks was more efficient than Josh Allen. But Dallas and Jerry Jones, it appears will no longer pay top dollar for a head coach. And Pittsburgh, it appeared forever, was not willing to move off a coach who couldn't win playoff games.

And as far as I can tell, Buffalo's willing to do both. So in their last six playoff exits, you can blame Brandon Bean, you can blame Shawn McDermott. In their last six playoff exits with a defensive coach and now Abosa and previously a Von Miller, they're allowing on average 33 points per game in losses. So you can blame whoever you want. Something had to change. You may not like the GM. Maybe you'll miss the head coach, but they're willing to take a swing. It's so much easier to do the Pittsburgh thing. Nobody's offended.

Everybody in the building is happy. Yes, people from the outside, the dark side may criticize the Steelers, but hey, we do what we do. Buffalo's a small town. They're taking a big swing. I respect it. Albert Brer yesterday on the move.

There, was, a, different, feel, in, that building the last couple of months. More tension. I think more pressure on everybody. They realize what they've got in front of them. The opportunity that Josh Allen as a quarterback gives them. And I think some of that spilled out Colin, after the game on Saturday.

Yeah., I, And, listen,, I, understand, the tension, but you know, Jerry Jones is ironic because he always talks about every time he seeks a bargain, that's exactly what he gets. And I I feel like Jerry Jones should listen to his own words. It feels like he's always trying to get a bargain at head coach. Look around the playoffs. No Momes, no Allen, Lo, no Lamar, no Burrow. Once you pay that star quarterback, it doesn't matter if Andy Reid's your coach, it's hard to be great. Buffalo is suffering through what the Chiefs, what Cincinnati what a lot of these highly compensated quarterback franchises are struggling with. Their roster's got some holes.

Buffalo's does, Chiefs do, right? The difference is one of those franchises has the trophies, but they're not just going to sit here and they're gonna they're gonna make a move and you don't have to love the GM. But by and large when we think about the Buffalo Bills over the last seven, eight, nine years you know what we think? Smartly owned great quarterback, pretty wellrun. That's why so many fe people are uncomfortable with the McDermott stuff cuz he was a really good coach. You didn't swing and miss on four. You swung and connected on one.

But it is time. And it is the kind of thing that can make the smaller town that doesn't love change a little uncomfortable. But I think it's the right move. Um I got to tell you, Jac watching that game last night, Robert Sullley got the Titans job. We'll talk more about that. Um, as I was watching that game last night, I am not saying Andrew Luck is John Elway or Andrew Luck the two best quarterback prospects ever out of college. If you talk to longtime NFL guys, those are great prospects. But Fernando Mendoza on that touchdown run that looked like Andrew Luck. That that I mean that was Andrew Luck is one of those guys, big thick kid who actually seeks. Remember you used to always say I don't feel like the game starts until I get popped.

Yeah. Mendoza, similarly, multiple, times, this year. Lip is bloodied off the field back on like that. That run that was so Andrew Luck. I mean it was it had a Josh Allen Andrew Luck feel. And I'm not he's not that kind of prospect. He's a very good prospect. He's not that level of prospect. But that run was I mean if you were on the fence on Fernando Mendoza after that run tear the fence down. He's the number one pick. I

I, think, Tommy, Frasier, of, Nebraska, had, an incredible run against Florida national championship. You remember that? You okay?

This, was, to, me, like, the, equivalent, of that. It was a big play. Fourth down. But here's the other thing. Mendoza I don't even think he had 200 yards passing Colin. But it was the important passes he needed. Third and seven. Boom. Got it. Fourth and five. Got it. I'm just telling you, man. I I said a couple weeks ago, I see a young Tom Brady. Not s seven Super Bowl Brady, but like in the pocket, takes the hits, keeps on ticking. This guy's a winner, man. I I'm If, I'm, the, Jets,, I, have, to, at least think about trading up or trying to for him. And I know Raiders fans are going to say, "No way." But that kid looks special, man. He's got everything you want in a quarterback.

Yep. Today's show brought to you by presenting sponsor Hard Rock Bet. Now with Miami making the national championship, you know, Hard Rock Stadium is going to be absolutely fire. If you're going to the game, Hard Rock Bet is giving you a $10 bonus bet to get in on the action. You can turn that free $10 bonus bet into a big win placing a same game parlay. Or even if you're just watching the game at home, there's still no better place to bet than Natty than Hard Rock Bet because it's Florida Sports Book. So, they're going crazy with promos for this one. And if you're late to kickoff, don't worry. The Hard Rock Bet has live in-game betting, so you're never too late to the action.

Find a winner, live bet between snaps and a few easy tabs. If you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet there's time for you and get 150 bucks in bonus bets. If you win, just place a $5 bet. If it hits, you not only get your winnings, but also an extra 150 bucks in bonus bets. Even if your team may be out of the playoffs, doesn't mean you have to sit on the sidelines. Same game parlays, live betting, can't miss welcome offer, new promos every day. Hard Rock Bet has you covered all playoffs long. That's Hard Rock Bet.

Download the Hard Rock Bet app. Make your first deposit today. Pretty clear the Big 10 is pulling away from the SEC. Three straight natties. SEC teams don't even end up in the championship game. Dominating teams at Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana. But here's what the SEC should truly be concerned about. Miami and Notre Dame. They're not in the Big 10. Maybe the two best recruiters in the country as coaches, two unique but magnificent college football brands and both with massive NIL checkbooks. We all know the Big 10 is separated.

They'll be favored to win the natty next year. They already are. But with Mario Crystal Ball, you're getting a highly aggressive NIL, a highly aggressive transfer portal team, and Dade and Broward County, probably the richest counties in the country for high school football recruiting. And Crystal Ball has made it his sole purpose to build a fence around Dade and Broward. And he is an unbelievable recruiter. So adding to that, Miami's economy is on fire. It is the fastest growing tech startup city in the country. Translation, there is an ocean of cash in Miami now and they want to spend it and a lot of people want to spend it on the U. It is their college program of choice. So, the consensus for 2026 recruiting, Mario, Crystal Ball and Miami, and they're just starting had a better class than Florida or LSU.

Notre Dame, Oregon, USC bought better cloes than anybody not named Alabama. Bama had a good one, but for the record Miami is now going to buy Duke's quarterback reportedly. He's good. He'll get better surrounded by Sunday bodies. So, the new reality of college football if you look at the odds, it is not just the Big 10, it is Miami and Notre Dame are going to be a major problem. The top five odds to win next year. The only SEC team is Texas, and that is oil money. And the reason Texas is even in there reportedly spending $40 million on next year's roster. So, my takeaway, the three best teams I saw play this year if I had to vote today, number one Indiana, number two Miami, and number three Ohio State. Nobody in the SEC felt like this physically.

Punishing, relentless defenses. Here's Mario Crystal Ball after the loss. got to the playoffs for the first time in Miami history and then beat four top 10 teams, beat seven top 25 teams, won the Fiesta Bowl, won the Cotton Bowl and you know what? I'll take full blame for it. We're one drive short of winning the national championship. So, um I don't see anything uh negative, but I do see pain in moments like this, and we should if we're a competitor that's worth anything. You feel it and you use it and you give those feelings a direction. And I know the guys coming back will. And I know that the guys moving on will also use that as fuel.

Hard, enough, to, beat, Indiana., Probably not going to do it if you get a punt blocked and it becomes a touchdown for the Hooers. But I thought Miami played great. I think they played a smartly coached, physical game with a kind of skilled players that can beat Indiana. The only two teams I watched play Indiana this year was not Alabama. I can assure you that. The only two teams that matched up with Indiana, Ohio State and Miami. And a lot of it was the checkbook. Sorry, a lot of it was the checkbook. Good coaching good quarterback play.

This is now a very administrative business. A little NFL, a lot NFL, but Miami and Ohio State came the closest. And it it started with uh grabbing a pen and and signing a check. Jay Mack with the news.

NO., NO,, NO. HEARD, ON, THE, NEWS. This, is, the, herd, line, news. All right,, let's, dive, right, into, the, NFL head coaching situation. The carousel is spinning wildly. Uh, Colin, yesterday Jeff Halfley from the Packers landed with the Miami Dolphins. Uh, Miami fans are nonpuled. Did I say that right? Non plused by the hire. Halfley, you know he's fine, but he doesn't bring Micah Parsons with him. Meanwhile, overnight there was a big one. The Tennessee Titans got Robert Salah from the Niners. This is being bali hood as a big-time get. Um they're curious to see who his offensive coordinator will be. A lot of chatter about Mike McDaniel.

That, would, be, a, good, hire., To, me,, Salah was the best defensive coordinator this year. Mike McDaniel by next year would be a top two to three offensive coordinator. You you could do far worse than Salah and Mike McDaniel. And McDaniel now has head coaching experience. I think that always helps for a coordinator. They sort of understand the macro day-to-day play-to-play understanding a coach has to deal with. I think Tennessee, they didn't get a John Harbaugh or a Stfansky necessarily, but Salah and Mike McDaniel, those I mean, listen remember, they work together. Salah knows he's from the San Francisco tree.

Yeah., The, only, problem, with, that, is, if McDaniel absolutely cooks and is awesome and Cam Ward is great, McDaniel's gonna get a head coaching job. And so now you're going for a third straight offensive coordinator. But that's kind of the world that that's the way it works, right, Colin? If you if you hire a defensive coach and you got a great offensive coordinator, he's going to be in demand if he if he does well.

Well,, I, I, I, I, when, a, head, coach, thinks he's going to be retained and gets fired, it can leave a sour taste in your mouth. There are also worse places to live in America than Nashville Tennessee. It's a great great place to live. And if you start winning for the first time consistently since Vrabel

I, could, see, Mike, McDaniel, saying,, "Dude, I I'll sign a long pack here." And I also think Mike McDaniel's quirky. He's not Campbell or Vrabel or Solah. He was a quirky hire. I don't think he should have taken most of the blame. That's more too in the GM. But I don't think everybody's going to be lining up for Mike McDaniel. I think he could go there for four years and he and Robert Solah could win that division multiple times.

Well,, there's, a, lot, of, chatter., Tampa Bay wants him. He likes Florida. The weather might might want to stay in in Tampa. Um I I'll just say this about Salah. They've got a couple defensive pieces on the line. Jeffrey Simmons and a young kid from Texas. Um other than that, there's not a lot. There's a lot of rebuilding to do, but we just saw Salah with very little do a great job in San Francisco. Um, I will just say here are the o head coaching openings still available. Pittsburgh Steelers. Wow. Uh, Baltimore Ravens, good job. We know that. Raiders is open. Cardinals Browns, and Bills. I think the Bills probably get their choice of guy. I'm I'm going to guess they're going to stay with Joe Brady. Would you agree? The OC?

I, don't, know., I, I, think, Oh, very interesting. I I I How, about, this?, R., Can, you, rank, the seven vacancies for me? We'll just give you Bills at one and I guess Ravens at two cuz they have Lamar. What What's three on that list? Is it Raiders cuz of Mendoza?

You, know,, they've, been, so, dysfunctional, but if you give me Mendoza Brock Bowers, Ashton Genty, and I just have to clean up the defense was okay. If I if I have to clean up the offensive line, I I I I think the Raiders are very interesting.

So,, the, Raiders, are, a, better, job, right now than the Steelers. Pittsburgh fans don't want to hear this, Colin. They they don't right now.

They, don't, have, they, now, now, the Steelers have a lot of interesting draft picks. They also may move up to get Tai Simpson who appears to be clearly the number two quarterback. So, let's wait post draft. The Steelers could look like a mess today, but if they get the coach they want and they get Ty Simpson

you, know,, who, who's, viewed, as, kind, of, a late first round quarterback, um then maybe I don't feel that way. I would say the Steelers have not really been in the let's find a new coach business for a long time. So, this is all very, very new for them.

Yeah., All right,, let's, move, on, to, Matt Stafford and the Rams. They're playing Seattle in the NFC Championship game. It's on Fox this weekend. Stafford will turn 38 a day before the Super Bowl Colin, and was asked if he considers this his last shot at winning it all.

I, try, not, to, think, about, that, kind, of stuff. I just try to enjoy the team that I'm on and the moment that I'm in. I love coming to work. I love the group that we get to do it with. These, like I said, opportunities don't come every single year. So, I just try to live in them and and cherish them when they're here. I sure hope it's not my last opportunity, but we'll see. You never know. Um take these these games and these seasons one at a time and and figure it out from there. But, I just know that I'm happy uh you know, happy in the moment than I am right now doing what I'm doing.

Well,, here's, the, thing., I, I, thought, a lot about this. They have two first round picks, a second, a third, couple of fifths, couple of six, couple of sevenths. What if you go to Stafford because you know the contract now you go to Stafford and say, "Listen, we're we're not going to draft a starting quarterback. It's not a good class. We may draft a quarterback with one of our fifth round picks, but what we're going to do if you take the kind of deal that we'd like you to take any extension our two first, we'll go get a tackle, a corner, a star- wide receiver that we're going to take our elite picks and go one more great year with you. He'll probably want a two-year deal. But I could see them saying, "Listen, we're not going to go get a quarterback. Don't worry about that. We'll keep Garopolo. We got Stson Bennett. It's not a good quarterback class. We don't really like anybody but

maybe Mendoza and we're just going to take all these top picks and we're going to make the O line better and the secondary better and we're going to make another Super Bowl run. Now, the following draft, Matt, we are going to go get a quarterback. Our scouting department likes it. But I've thought about this. If you're the Rams and you're trying to get because to me Stafford's now a top five quarterback. He's been healthy this year. He's playing great. The symmetry with him and McVey is amazing. all these skill people. I could see the Rams going "Hey, we don't like any of the core. I mean, we not going to give up six picks to go get Tai Simpson and just say the reality is we'll load up for one more Super Bowl run. We'll attack all of our deficiencies, tackle, corner." I could see the Rams doing that.

If, you're, looking, for, best, story, line left in the playoffs, it would be Stafford winning another Super Bowl. I I think that's undeniable. I I know people are all aboard the Drake May train. He's got 15 more years. Sam Darnold's uh you know reinvention stories excellent but Stafford is the man and Colin I'm surprised even out here in LA you know I talked to people in the building they they're not giving the Rams a chance nobody is this is people living in Los Angeles think oh Seattle it's a wrap everybody on your Seahawks any any read on how that you think that's going to go there big guy you know where I'm leaning I don't think the Rams can play as perfectly as they played in Chicago no drop passes no penalties no picks And I think Seattle's better than Chicago. And that game went to overtime.

Seattle should be favored. But last weekend, fewer turnovers, won every game. And Seattle is more reckless than the Rams. Rams play at their best. Nearly perfect football. I mean, I mean no penalties or one penalty. They just don't get penalized. And so I don't think they can duplicate the efficiency of last week cuz I think Seattle's defense forces you into more mistakes penalties, and turnovers. To not have a drop pass and that Chicago weather that's incredible.

So, I, don't, think, they'll, be, as, clean, but I do think they have what you need to beat Seattle. And that is a defense that will speed Sam Darnold up. And that's the way to beat Seattle. force Sam into a couple reckless throws cuz you're not you're not just going straight up on Seattle. You got to make them uncomfortable because the Seahawks make everybody else uncomfortable when you watch them play. They make Christian McCaffrey disappear. So, you have to make Seattle a little uncomfortable and I, think, the, Rams, are, one, of the, few teams that can do that with their defensive front.

Do, you, remember, that, Thursday, night, game what, six weeks ago? The Rams did whatever they wanted for three and a half quarters

until, the, punt, return, triggered, some wackiness. Okay. You, know,, Seahawks,, big, edge, special teams. Big edge special teams.

Yes,, for, sure., Uh,, final, story,, Colin, to the NBA where NBA All-Star voting is complete and uh LeBron's streak of being a starter for 21 straight years is over. He was edged out by young bucks like Wemi, Joic, SGA, and Luca Donuch starting five. I know a lot of people are making a big deal out of this. I'll remind everybody when Michael Jordan was in his final year with the Wizards, age 39, he was not voted an all-star starter. Vince Carter gave up his spot so Jordan could get it. I I don't think this is a huge story. It's a young man's game and LeBron, you know, got got missed a couple games early, first 14.

He's got good numbers. He's averaging 236 and six. LeBron, is, not, an, NBA, starter, any, longer.

Yeah., Allstar, starter., He's, not., You look at these players. Um, you know, the kid that doesn't get a lot of press because it's the Pista. Kade Cunningham is a great player.

He's, awesome. He, is, a, great, great, player., And,, uh, and, you know, you get one superstar the right coach, and some complimentary pieces. Detroit has every opportunity to win the East as long as Jason Tatum is out right for the year. Keep your eye on the Pistons.

So,, so, I'm, just, curious., Do, you, see, a situation where Luca says, "LeBron, hey man, you're the man. Love you, bro. You can have my starting spot in the All-Star game." Do you think Luca or anyone would do that?

Listen,, I, think, this, whole,, you, know, LeBron situation with his agent, I think it's a little tense because these new owners, they don't care. They're not beholden to any great fading star. That's this franchise is Luca first, JJ Reic second, Austin Reeves third everybody else. You can move those chairs. Everybody else, including LeBron

J-Mack, with, the, news. Well,, that's, the, news and, thanks, for, stopping, by.

The, herd, lie, news. I, will, defend, the, NFL getting riding for the time being. Many of them will get second chances. 10 coaches. Urban Meyer right around the corner on what he witnessed last night. Can Indiana keep doing this? I mean they had the 60th best recruiting class. Won't it get better? Bloomington's a nice town. They got NIL money. What to make of Indiana? Is it a one-off? They They can't do this again, right? Or can they? Urban Meyer next. All right, welcome back. Well, I listen in terms of talent Miami had more Sunday NFL bodies. In terms of efficiency uh Indiana is one of the best teams I've ever seen. Urban Meyer, threetime national champ, two at Florida, one with the Buckeyes, three-time coach of the year. Fox Sports is joining us. So, what let's start with this. What was your big takeaway from the game?

Uh,, first, of, all,, great, show,, great environment. That's what makes college football is what it is. I was with TBO and we stood about 15 yards away from where he threw the jump pass in '08. So just great memories and but I'm telling you this Miami outfit, uh, they're not going away. That that on paper, Miami had a roster that I I stood next to Miami and watched them warm up. That was every bit of the old SEC dominant looking team. Uh, but Indiana football a right up there with the Vince Yun rung and the T-Bo jump pass and some of the other iconic moments. The fourth and five QB draw and I'm launching. So, I can't wait to see the bronze statue in Bloomington of Mendoza diving across the end zone and one of the great all-around football teams in college football history. Incredible. Incredible night. I said this because the NIL is keeping more and more kids in college for a year that the game is getting older and

because of that it's getting smarter. You can you're dealing with 23 and 24 year olds., Miamiy's, got, a, guy, that's going to be 25 and and to me it's a little more pro football which which people can be uncomfortable with but the quality of defenses the quality the layering of the offenses in college football last night Urban that felt 30% pro football the quality of coaching and play and bodies I thought it was a spectacular showcase of talent coaching and maturity

yeah, I, was, with, Eric, Shanks, too obviously the the boss at And he mentioned this. He said, "All the chaos that's going on in college football, all the negativity about NIL this this." He looked at me, he goes "Keep raining the chaos. It's never been better. College football arguably has never been better for a lot of the reasons you just said. Kids are grad I mean, how about this stat? I want to say it's an 80% jump in kids graduates playing college football." Yeah.

So,, they, are, graduating., It's, it's, a phenomenal story and you're seeing you know who's going to watch for Oregon next year. They're going to follow the same template that the Wolverines did Ohio State did, and now Indiana did where you're having grown ass men and you got you got grown men in that locker room.

Yeah. Instead, of, the, eight, you're, counting, on you you, used, to, count, I, used, to, count, on 17 18 19 year olds. These are 24 year olds. So it's a it's it's a phenomena that's really great to watch. So Indiana's been doing it with a lot of three star guys. Now, now everybody will say, myself included, well, Mark Cuban now is on board. They can go get fivear guys, but I would say they just want a natty went 16 and0 with three star guys. Does Kurt Signetti have to be careful to keep this culture, which is very much team first, but listen, if you get a fivestar left tackle, take him. But would you be a little concerned that the culture could take uh could veer off if you do start getting opportunities to find five-star kids everywhere?

You, know,, the, great, story, was, back, with Michigan State under Danton and defense coordinator Patton Arduzi and I I talked to one time about that and they were them in Wisconsin back in the day were the best in the business and Utah. Kyle Winningham taking that three-star guy and making him an NFL player and then Michigan State started winning, went to the Rose Bowl, won the Rose Bowl, and now, all, of a, sudden, they're, getting, the highly highly high highly recruited guys to either for visit or sometimes come and you start to lose a little bit of that underdog. We're the misfits. We're going to just out, you know, outwork you. So, I think they got to be very cautious. Uh, and I I think the other thing he's got to be aware of, he's going to start losing that staff.

Yeah, those, are, th, those, two, coordinators,, how they're not head coaches yet. Um, there they are. What what they've done there uh, if there's ever more deserving of two coordinators that belong to be a head coach, it's Shanahan and Haynes the two offensive defense coordinator at Indiana. I'll tell you, um, and I know people, you know, they don't want to hear this, but for years and years, I said, even when I, uh, worked here at at Fox, which has a Big 10 deal, I'm like the games down south look different. They're bigger, faster. Well, Ohio State last year, Michigan the year before Miami, um, the SEC doesn't look the same. Alabama and Georgia do not look the same. miss with that offense and all that movement and creativity. That to me is the future of college football in the South. Can we now say definitively and it maybe the gap's not huge, but it does feel like Big 10 football. Oh, look at

all the quarterbacks coming back next year. Mayava, Dante Moore, Julian S. It just feels like the Big 10's better. My eyes. That's what it That's what it tells me. What does it tell you? I I I think that the Wolverines and and and Ohio State prove that the Big 10 is better at the highest level, but what's happened, Colin, now there's depth in the There's never been depth in the Big 10. It used to be the Big Two and Little Eight, back, when, I, grew, up., Now, all, of a sudden, you got Indiana, Oregon, and you're not even counting the Wisconsin's and Michigan States who used to be very good. Penn State was down. The Wolverines were down. So yeah, I I think it's not only the top now, and this is actually so hard to believe, the depth of the Big 10 is greater than that of the SEC.

Look, how, good, Illinois, was, this, year. Seriously, they, beat, the, hell, out, of, I, think Tennessee and then Iowa beats Vanderbilt. Yeah, I I I think that the shift and I I think Sabin or someone said the reason is is they're paying kids to go up north now. They are. Um, what do you make of Fernando Mendoza? Is there any I mean I you know what it's it's he's got um I How about this? He's got T-Bo software but Andrew Luck hardware is that he's got all the intangibles that T-Bo had humility and decency and just this this commitment to the game, but he's got a little Andrew Luck. He's just big strong arm. I mean, have you Who would you Who does he remind you of?

I, think, Tibo, in, a, lot, of, ways,, just, cuz I know the kid now. He was on our podcast. We covered him so I text with the guy all the time. He's the most respectful kid. Uh, you know, he just reminds me of Tim and then you watch him play and he throws his body around. So I would say that here's what's interesting too, Colin, is that, you know, mid-season Todd McShet, myself, we we just were talking and and on air somewhere and I think his podcast, we all felt he needed one more year because there was a time to start the season, he was okay.

Yeah. Even, mid-season,, just, okay., And, then, he went on a five game, fivegame run that made him a bunch of money to be the number one pick. He won the Heisman and now a national champion. He'll go down is one of the great stories and I I didn't believe he was a ready to go to the NFL. I do now. What he's done the last, five, weeks,, you, know,, he's, going to go, to the, Raiders,, I'm, sure,, and, they're going to try to build a franchise around the guy. And I I would not bet against what I've witnessed in up close and got to know this guy. I would not bet against that cat. Now

let's, give, Miami, a, little, love, in, that second half. Urban they looked the part. That was I mean Indiana was holding on for dear life in the second half. What did it What did it feel like being there?

Well,, as, Miami, had, almost, 300, yards offense and they held uh Indiana to 155. It felt like a mismatch. It felt like Miami is going to win the national title.

Yeah. But, I'm, sure, coach, Crystal, Ball, is, going to address this. They are a mistake team.

Yeah. They've, been, a, mistake, team, all, year. And you think about the offsides by Baines. You think about the pass interference, penalties, and, one, of the worst penalties of the night was that third and 17 face mask.

Oh, boy. And, then, the, play and, then, the, play, Colin, and, they, didn't even try to block the punt. It was one guy out efforting another guy that'll you know I mean that my my my heart hurts for that player and whoever coaches that position walking in the office today knowing if they don't block that punt I think Miami is the national champion.

Yeah., No,, they, looked, the, part,, man., I love having Miami back. I know a lot of people don't like Miami. I think they're I love them.

They're, back,, Colin., They're, they're, I, I felt it on the sideline. The crowd does Miami I was worried that would the Miami crowd even show up? Uh that that program is not good. They got money. They got a great place to go to school and now they are back. You watch Miami. Uh they're not going anywhere.

Hey,, by, the, way,, you, got, some, rich buddies. Would you try one more coaching stint if you got the right NL guys?

Hell, hell, no., No. Uh,, great, seeing, you,, coach. Great, seeing, you., Stay, warm.

All, right., Well,, of, course,, Chicago,, the sun's coming out. Maybe in June, but it's coming out here eventually. Uh, the great Urban Meyer, Nick, right? Top of next hour. Yeah, I mean, that second half that that that block kick is it. I mean, Miami looks the part. And there's a way to beat Indiana. Ohio State did a lot of it. You got to have skilled players that can that can shorten drives like Fletcher's run. Uh Tony's an incredible talent for Miami. He's only a freshman. So you got to have the right kind of skill people to beat this Indiana team because you're not going to get 14 play drive, 15 play drive. You got to go over the top. You got to have better than average quarterback play.

Carson Beck's better than your average college quarterback. And you got to be you got to be relentless, tough disruptive, physical, and a little chippy. You you had to get Ohio State Miami. You got to be almost play through the whistle. There were some personal fouls that were not called. one of them. I can't believe helmet on helmet on Mendoza. It wasn't called, it wasn't whatever. Um but but I mean you Miami played and was coached to beat Indiana. This is not on Crystal Ball. I thought their game plan was excellent. I thought from the beginning of the game, I'm like, "Okay, this 10- nothing at half they've got to open up the offense."

Sabbin said that they had to open up the offense. And they did. But I will say Miami, that's how you coach to beat a perfect team. You got to be a little chippy. You got to get in their head hit them a little late, bloody a lip and then you got to then you need some great offensive skill uh down the stretch. And between Tony and Fletcher uh they had it. So, I mean, that that's Mario Crystalall for years has been well, he's just a recruiter. I thought the game plan was outstanding. I thought his staff was great. And I thought the second half coaching for Miami, listen Miami was not very good mid mid-season.

They were good enough to win a natty by the end of the year. That's called coaching. So, you can say whatever you want about Crystal Ball being a better recruiter than the coach. I thought their coaching was great. I thought their game plan, that's exactly what you do. You write it down. Chippy early lean on them, be physical, maybe a little inappropriate, bloody a lip, and then open it up at halftime. I mean Nick Sabin said it, they got to open it up. It's exactly what they did. So, I thought it was a great game. Planned a great season, man. So exciting.

Oh, J-Mack, you know, I love college football. Uh, a lot of people are saying 10 new coaches is over the top. I'll make an argument. You could have gone to 12 and it would have been okay.

A, lot, of, people, are, often, wrong., I, mean, Colin, Jets could have fired Aaron Glenn. Nobody would have batted an eye. It would have been like, "Oh, yeah, that makes total sense. I get that. I see that." And I'm sure you can find another one somewhere around the league. All the bad teams were really rotten this past year.

Yeah., All right. In fact, there's only one team that fired their coach that I disagree with. I'll talk about that. Nick Wright coming up hour two. It is a Tuesday. We're live in Chicago.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Miami-Indiana College Football Title Reaction + Fernando Mendoza in NFL | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD"?

Colin Cowherd (Host), Fernando Mendoza (Guest), Urban Meyer (Guest), Jay Mack (Guest).

What is "Miami-Indiana College Football Title Reaction + Fernando Mendoza in NFL | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD" about?

The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of college football, particularly after the Indiana-Miami championship game, emphasizing the increase in player maturity and experience, which contributes to more sophisticated and mistake-free gameplay. It contrasts this with the traditional perception of college football, showcasing how older, seasoned rosters and the presence of NFL-caliber…

What is mentioned in this The Herd with Colin Cowherd episode?

23 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Colin Cowherd, Urban Meyer, NFL, Indiana University, Big 10, Fernando Mendoza. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Miami-Indiana College Football Title Reaction + Fernando Mendoza in NFL | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD"?

The episode runs 42 min; the transcript is about 7,396 words in 82 timestamped sections.

More from The Herd with Colin Cowherd

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 26, 2026.