Colin Cowherd Podcast - College Football Playoff Preview, Michigan’s Head Coaching Search, USC/Notre Dame Rivalry Paused

He's everywhere now, the face of college football, and yes, he looks like he’s on a porch; judging by that backdrop, I’m calling somewhere near Athens with those pine trees.

More like 220 miles from Athens, but those are Georgia pines for sure, not Rockies—think Appalachia terrain.

I defend the 12‑team playoff; big fields like March Madness always have blowouts, and I can live with a couple of outmatched teams if the trade‑off is drama and a chance for the occasional shocker, even if the regular season gets trimmed a touch.

I’m with you, and if you’re anti‑G5, argue schedule strength, not projected margins; I’ve always cared more about the regular season, and big brackets just multiply cherry‑picked anecdotes.

On Saban’s AAA analogy, spare me—those same teams fill your home schedule; small programs serve a purpose, and every so often the quirky scheme or Boise‑type upset reminds you why it’s fun.

I still remember riding Air Force plus the points at Tennessee; that offense terrified them and proved how tricky those matchups can be.

On USC‑Notre Dame, if you’re half‑independent with a soft slate and USC’s grinding through the Big Ten gauntlet, you should flex on timing; USC’s not letting you squeeze them between their midterms.

I love rivalries, but pragmatically Notre Dame needed to bend more without a league; they just saw how a soft path and two tough losses can leave you out, and next year their margin for error looks thin.

I like Ohio State by a score over Miami in a lower‑scoring grinder, and it helps that the Buckeyes aren’t stacked back‑to‑back versus bruisers.

I was at Miami and they hit like an SEC power, not an ACC team; despite the big spread, this could be the quarterfinal with the most edge.

Does Texas Tech have a real shot at Oregon, or are they the most ignored team left for a reason?

Tech’s metrics are Big 12‑only, so the profile could warp, and coaches think Oregon’s line and backs can gash them and flip the game script; last year’s hard lesson also sharpened Oregon for this stretch.

Indiana’s about a six‑point favorite over Alabama, and Bama’s Jekyll‑and‑Hyde but built to throw their way back; Indiana’s balance and the brand dynamic actually favor the Hoosiers.

Alabama’s talent keeps the 2.0 postseason flip in play, but turnovers will decide it; Indiana’s fundamentals and run defense can smother you, yet I still expect a four‑quarter fight.

Georgia over Ole Miss feels right, but this isn’t that freakish Georgia roster from four years ago; they’re excellent and still a bit gettable.

Georgia’s wrung a ton out of this team, but Ole Miss can stretch them vertically, and I think it comes down to Gunner Stockton needing to win it with his arm.

Trinidad Chambles looks like a smaller Dak—clever, explosive, and NFL‑viable even if he’s not prototype size.

A Georgia staffer told me he’s the best quarterback they’ll see in this tournament because of the legs‑plus‑off‑schedule throws combo.

The Michigan job’s fantastic, but if you miss now, NIL, the portal, and a deeper Big Ten make the fall steeper; is there a perfect hire?

Perfect hires often live off the hot board—think Indiana landing Curt Signetti—so Michigan needs the courage to pick beyond the usual names as the Big Ten middle hardens and one bad swing can drop you fast.

The league’s getting sturdier with USC, Indiana, Penn State fixing NIL, and more money everywhere; now, tell me about your last Quick Trip run.

Rolled in at 2:30 a.m. in Ringgold, fueled up, hit the cold brew on tap, and even got a friendly nod from the clerk—road‑trip gold.

Appreciate it, buddy—great stuff.