The Herd with Colin Cowherd Colin Cowherd Podcast - Penn State’s Best Isn’t Good Enough, Alabama’s Monumental Win Over Georgia, USC Can’t Play Smash Mouth Football
Oct 2, 2025
Join college football analyst Josh Pate, host of his own show, as he dives into the hot topics of the season. They discuss Penn State's critical loss to Oregon and the scrutiny on coach James Franklin. Josh argues it's the start of a new era for Franklin. They also evaluate Alabama's monumental win over Georgia and its implications. Plus, insights into USC's struggle with physicality and how the transfer portal is reshaping team dynamics for a more competitive landscape. Don't miss their expert analysis!
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Franklin's Ceiling Revealed
- Colin views James Franklin as a very good coach but not elite, placing him roughly top 7–15 in college football.
- Franklin's loss to Oregon was a high-leverage referendum revealing that his current best might not be enough to reach the mountaintop.
A Game That Started A New Timeline
- Josh Pate treated the Oregon-Penn State game as a historic inflection point for James Franklin and Penn State's program trajectory.
- He described a "whole new timeline" starting, where the loss either forces major change or begins an eventual split between coach and school.
Oregon Is A Stay-Oriented Job
- Colin and Josh argue Oregon now ranks among jobs you don't leave given resources, facilities, and boosters like Phil Knight.
- Dan Lanning can accomplish almost anything there, making SEC departures unlikely and costly.