Everyone Loves Fernando Mendoza, But How GOOD Is He Actually? | HARD PASS Ep. #87

Fernando Mendoza has become one of the most beloved players in college football, but has that love turned into unrealistic expectations about his NFL future? 👀

Doug Kezirian breaks down why the Fernando Mendoza hype has reached uncomfortable levels, how the “halo effect” is shaping public opinion, and why being a great person and leader doesn’t automatically make someone a can’t-miss NFL quarterback.

From former players calling Mendoza the best QB prospect in a decade, to Raiders fans desperate for a savior, to media members glossing over his actual on-field flaws, Doug explains why context matters. Mendoza played in a perfectly structured system under Curt Cignetti, benefited from elite receiver play and one of the lowest drop rates in the country, and struggled most against top defenses ... all things being ignored in today’s discourse.

Is Fernando Mendoza being overrated as an NFL prospect? Drop your take in the comments and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Hard Pass 💯

“Because people love Mendoza the person, they view his football traits through rose-colored glasses … they have blinders on.” – Doug Kezirian

#collegefootball #cfb #nfldraft #quarterbacks #footballtalk #sportsdebate #nfl #raiders #cfp #indianafootball #bigten #fernandomendoza

HARD PASS Ep. #87

00:00 – Intro

00:21 – America’s Obsession With Fernando Mendoza

🏈 Doug breaks down how Mendoza became the most beloved QB in the country and why that affection is shaping how people evaluate his football ability.

01:09 – The Halo Effect Explained

🏈 Doug explains the psychological “halo effect,” why people overrate traits once they love a person, and how that applies directly to Mendoza.

02:19 – Why Mendoza Didn’t “Carry” Indiana

🏈 Doug explains how Curt Cignetti rebuilt Indiana over multiple seasons, why Mendoza wasn’t a one-man turnaround, and why coaching context matters.

05:30 – Weak QB Class & Raiders Desperation

🏈 Doug explains how a weak quarterback class and Raiders fan desperation have amplified the hype beyond what the tape actually shows.

07:32 – Liking the Player vs Evaluating the Prospect

🏈 Doug explains why Mendoza is a good college QB, not a generational prospect, and why likability doesn’t change NFL projection.

#NFLnews #SportsDebate #SportsPodcast #viralNFL #FootballTalk #SportsCommunity #cfb #cfbplayoffs #collegefootball

Welcome to HARD PASS with veteran sports analyst Doug Kezirian, your stadium seat to everything football, and your courtside ticket to everything basketball! From buzzer-beaters to behind-the-scenes drama, scorching hot takes, and sharp analysis you won’t hear anywhere else. Brought to you by the Doug Kezirian Sports Network (DKSN).

🗓 New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

💥 Help DKSN grow by liking, commenting, and subscribing: https://www.youtube.com/@DougKezirianSportsNetwork

🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a take.

📣 We want to hear from you!

Hot take? Bold opinion? Drop it in the comments or tag us online.

Your question/comment could be featured in our Fans in the Stands segment!

📬 For inquiries or interviews: DKSportsNetwork@gmail.com

Follow Doug & DKSN:

🐦 Twitter/X: @DougKezirian

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Breaking Down the Calls That CHANGED the NFL Playoffs | HARD PASS Ep. #86

Two nearly identical plays. Two completely different rulings. And the internet immediately screamed “NFL refs blew it” … but what if they actually got both calls right? 👀

Doug Kezirian breaks down the two most controversial officiating decisions from the weekend, the interception ruling in Broncos vs. Bills and the DaVante Adams catch in Rams vs. Bears, and explains why, despite looking the same in real time, the plays were correctly ruled differently under NFL rules.

From what actually constitutes a “football move,” to why surviving the ground matters, to why replay protocol makes coaches’ sideline outrage pointless, Doug walks through the nuance most fans (and even former players) are missing. Using rules analysts, slow motion, and common-sense examples, Doug explains why confusion around NFL officiating is inevitable, but not proof the league is “rigged” or “scripted.”

Were these the right calls? Drop your take in the comments and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Hard Pass 💯

“The two most controversial calls were properly officiated, even though they look so similar and had different rulings.” — Doug Kezirian

#football #nfl #nflplayoffs #superbowl #refs #buffalobills #joshallen #davanteadams #rams #losangelesrams #matthewstafford #afc #nfc

HARD PASS Ep. #86

00:00 – Intro

00:17 – The Broncos Interception Explained

🏈 Doug breaks down the interception that had Bills fans furious, explaining why the receiver never completed the catch, why there was no football move, and why this ruling is different from the DaVante Adams play.

02:43 – The DaVante Adams Catch Explained

🏈 Doug works backward from Adams’ knee being down, explains how he completed the catch first, and why losing the ball afterward doesn’t change the ruling.

04:30 – Sean McDermott’s Outrage

🏈 Doug explains why McDermott’s timeout and postgame comments made no sense under NFL replay protocol.

06:02 – Why Fans (and Even Former Players) Get Confused

🏈 Doug reacts to analysts and former players disagreeing and explains why NFL rules consistently confuse everyone.

07:01 – The Real Problem: Complexity & Technology

🏈 Doug explains how slow motion, endless angles, and a 250-page rulebook guarantee controversy on bang-bang plays.

#NFLnews #SportsDebate #SportsPodcast #viralNFL #FootballTalk #sportscommunity

Welcome to HARD PASS with veteran sports analyst Doug Kezirian, your stadium seat to everything football, and your courtside ticket to everything basketball! From buzzer-beaters to behind-the-scenes drama, scorching hot takes, and sharp analysis you won’t hear anywhere else. Brought to you by the Doug Kezirian Sports Network (DKSN).

🗓 New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

💥 Help DKSN grow by liking, commenting, and subscribing: https://www.youtube.com/@DougKezirianSportsNetwork

🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a take.

📣 We want to hear from you!

Hot take? Bold opinion? Drop it in the comments or tag us online.

Your question/comment could be featured in our Fans in the Stands segment!

📬 For inquiries or interviews: DKSportsNetwork@gmail.com

Follow Doug & DKSN:

🐦 Twitter/X: @DougKezirian

📸 Instagram: @DougKezirian

🎵 TikTok: @DougKezirian

The RISK of Dante Moore Turning Down $50 Million and the NFL | HARD PASS Ep. #85

Dante Moore turning down $50 million guaranteed to go to the NFL shocked the college football world … but Doug Kezirian believes the real surprise is how many respected voices are completely ignoring the risk 👀

Doug breaks down why Moore’s decision to return to Oregon is being universally praised, even though the exact same choice just blew up in Drew Allar’s face last year, costing him tens of millions of dollars. From assumptions about “guaranteed growth,” to injury risk, to scheme changes, to a loaded future quarterback draft class, Doug explains why betting on yourself isn’t always the smart move — especially when life-changing money is already on the table.

Doug also pushes back on the idea that NIL money makes this decision “a wash,” why more college starts can actually hurt draft stock, and why avoiding a bad NFL situation (like the Jets) shouldn’t factor into the decision if you truly believe in yourself.

Was Dante Moore smart to pass up the NFL and stay at Oregon, or is the risk simply not worth it? Drop your take in the comments and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Hard Pass 💯

“I don’t know what surprises me more, Dante Moore turning down $50M guaranteed, or the fact that the masses overwhelmingly think it’s a good move … Penn State’s Drew Allar just made the same mistake a year ago.” — Doug Kezirian

#oregonducks #dantemoore #collegefootball #cfb #nil #nfldraft #oregonfootball #quarterbacks #sportsdebate #jets #newyork

HARD PASS Ep. #85

00:00 – Intro

Doug reacts to Dante Moore turning down $50M guaranteed and explains why this decision deserves far more scrutiny than it’s getting.

00:33 – The Risk of Going Back to Oregon

🏈 Doug explains why the conversation around Moore’s decision focuses almost entirely on the upside while ignoring realistic risks.

01:56 – The Best-Case Scenario Trap

🏈 Growth is not guaranteed. Doug breaks down how coaching changes, scheme fit, tougher competition, and injury risk can completely derail the plan, just like it did for Drew Allar.

05:08 – NIL vs. NFL Guaranteed Money

🏈 Doug explains why NIL money does not remotely compare to $50M guaranteed and why calling this decision a “wash” is misleading.

06:04 – More Starts ≠ Better NFL Prospect

🏈 Why extra college tape can actually cap perceived upside and hurt draft stock.

10:40 – Avoiding the Jets? That Logic Makes No Sense

🏈 Doug explains why situation-shopping contradicts the idea of truly “betting on yourself.”

#NFLnews #SportsDebate #SportsPodcast #viralNFL #FootballTalk #SportsCommunity #cfb #collegefootball #nfldraft

Welcome to HARD PASS with veteran sports analyst Doug Kezirian, your stadium seat to everything football, and your courtside ticket to everything basketball! From buzzer-beaters to behind-the-scenes drama, scorching hot takes, and sharp analysis you won’t hear anywhere else. Brought to you by the Doug Kezirian Sports Network (DKSN).

🗓 New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

💥 Help DKSN grow by liking, commenting, and subscribing: https://www.youtube.com/@DougKezirianSportsNetwork

🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a take.

📣 We want to hear from you!

Hot take? Bold opinion? Drop it in the comments or tag us online.

Your question/comment could be featured in our Fans in the Stands segment!

📬 For inquiries or interviews: DKSportsNetwork@gmail.com

Follow Doug & DKSN:

🐦 Twitter/X: @DougKezirian

📸 Instagram: @DougKezirian

🎵 TikTok: @DougKezirian