The Herd with Colin Cowherd THE HERD - Hour 2 - Previewing the National Championship game, Joel Klatt
Jan 15, 2026
Joel Klatt, a college football analyst and former quarterback, joins to break down the National Championship game. He discusses Miami's chances against Indiana and highlights the significance of their running game. Klatt also dives into Dante Moore's decision to stay at Oregon and how it compares to others in football history. The conversation explores the shifting power dynamics in college football conferences and predicts Indiana's victory due to their cleaner play and strength in the trenches.
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Sam Darnold's Career Resurgence
- Sam Darnold's recent production argues he is playing at an elite level and entering his prime years.
- Colin Cowherd points out Darnold posted rare back-to-back 14-win 4,000-yard seasons with two teams, which is historically notable.
First Impressions Can Mislead
- Colin recalls being asked about trusting Sam Darnold and defends his trajectory despite early negative impressions.
- He compares Darnold's early struggles in New York to other quarterbacks who overcame slow starts to succeed later.
Indiana's Run-First Engine
- Indiana's offense is built on controlling the line of scrimmage and creating manageable third downs.
- Joel Klatt notes they ran 90 times vs 36 passes in their two playoff games, highlighting a run-first identity.