The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode Summary

Episode: OKC Thunder Are UNSTOPPABLE, Notre Dame’s Tone Deaf Complaints, Caleb Williams Comp? Shedeur Better Than Expected
Date: December 12, 2025
Guests: Danny Parkins

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd is joined by Danny Parkins for a spirited, topical conversation on the biggest stories in sports. Key themes include the rise of the Oklahoma City Thunder as a possible NBA dynasty, the debate on parity and branding in sports leagues, Notre Dame's controversial reaction to their bowl exclusion, college football playoff expansion, the surprising progression of Shedeur Sanders in the NFL, and a breakdown of how Caleb Williams stacks up to Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Oklahoma City Thunder: Smart, Boring, and Unstoppable?

Timestamps: [03:49] – [14:48]

• Colin’s Thesis: OKC has built the NBA’s most analytically dominant, ego-less, and deep team, capable of a dynasty – but their rise is “boring” compared to markets like LA or NYC.

  • Quote: “Oklahoma City is not only 24:1, but analytically the best defensive team ever...their advantage has simply been they’re smarter, they're more efficient.” – Colin [06:13]

• Debate over Parity and Brand:

  • Colin argues that true parity is an illusion, and the NBA should embrace dynasties for the sake of business and storylines—“Nobody really truly wants parity, nor is it good for the business model.” [07:47]
  • Danny counters that it’s really about brand and market size—dynasties in big markets (e.g., Dodgers, Lakers) drive ratings, small market dynasties (Spurs, Thunder) don’t.
    • Quote: “It’s the Dodgers that is... captivating because it’s the Dodgers and it's boring, quote-unquote, to people because it’s Oklahoma City. Not necessarily because dynasty.” – Danny [08:24]
  • Both agree dynasties are compelling, but the location and market brand deeply affect national interest and TV ratings.
  • Danny: We worry too much about tanking and franchise location—players want agency, and smaller markets have to be smarter or luckier. [10:08]
  • They debate the fairness and necessity of the draft, the punitive nature of the current system for players forced to play where they’re picked.

2. International Influence on Sports Leagues:

Timestamps: [14:48] – [23:33]

• Danny’s Theory: Baseball sells teams (Yankees, Cubs, Wrigley Field); the NBA sells stars—this difference makes international influence a net positive for MLB but a mixed bag for the NBA.
  • “Baseball sells the team. Yankees now... Basketball is so player driven...most European players are not really interested coming over.” – Danny [16:19]
• Colin’s View: NBA’s star-driven model was cemented by Bird, Magic, and Jordan—and the league can’t go back. However, international stars often lack the “personality” that sells American sports at the NBA’s scale.
  • Quote: “Since Bird and Magic, it has been, wow. Stars grew the league’s popularity exponentially. Jordan takes it to a level they never thought of.” – Colin [18:45]
• They agree U.S. basketball needs new American-born superstars as European influence grows, and question if the NBA can ever truly pivot away from its player-obsessed model.

3. Notre Dame’s “Tone Deaf” Complaints & The Evolving College Football Playoff

Timestamps: [30:28] – [41:34]

• Colin and Danny’s Take: Both love Notre Dame’s historical rigor and status, but call out its lack of self-awareness in complaints about bowl exclusion, especially as an independent.
  • “I was shocked by the lack of self-awareness from an independent school saying we’re just not getting the support...” – Danny [30:28]
  • Colin: Notre Dame's response was predictable, emblematic of the "smugness" that permeates the top of college sports. “Tone deafness in college sports is...not that's just the latest example.” [32:12]
• Broader Issue: The playoff expansion has shifted attention away from key regular-season games, making matchups that used to be elimination games less meaningful.
  • Danny laments the loss of high-stakes regular seasons: “Every game mattered...now an elimination game means less to the casual person.” [34:48]
• Future of the Playoff:
  • Colin predicts further expansion: “Do you think they’re going to go to 16? Are they going to go to 30? Are they going to go to 32?” [38:14]
  • Both express concern that conference realignment and expansion are killing classic regional matchups.
    • “USC has to play Rutgers in volleyball. USC plays Rutgers but not Notre Dame. Are we sure that's what we want?” – Colin [42:01]
• Summary: They agree college football, while more lucrative and TV-friendly, is losing some of its unique, regional identity and traditions.

4. Shedeur Sanders’ Surprising NFL Success

Timestamps: [43:50] – [50:13]

• Danny’s Take: Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns) is surpassing expectations, becoming the first “quarterback influencer” and proving doubters wrong even as a fifth-round pick.
  • Quote: “Shedeur does appear to be better than everybody in the NFL thought because he was a fifth-round quarterback.” – Danny [44:25]
• Colin’s Analysis: Impressed by specific performances (vs. Tennessee), but cautions about declaring Sanders a franchise QB too early.
  • “He didn’t beat the worst team in the league and now you’ve got him as Cleveland starter for the next four years. I think that’s a little premature...” – Colin [45:59]
• The Debate: Danny argues talent wins in the long run, but Colin notes NFL skepticism due to possible “red flags” in Shedeur's evaluation. Both are interested to watch him the rest of the season, especially with the expensive Deshaun Watson still on the Browns’ roster.

5. Caleb Williams: Comparing to Josh Allen & Aaron Rodgers

Timestamps: [56:55] – [64:04]

• Danny’s Comp: Williams’ year two stats are nearly identical to Josh Allen, and he’s similarly gifted as a “shorter Josh Allen.”
  • Quote: “I think he’s a shorter Josh Allen. I think that’s his comp. I think he’s a 6’1 Josh Allen.” – Danny [58:46]
• Colin’s View: Sees more of Aaron Rodgers in Caleb’s game, citing his ability to make downfield plays without turnovers and his exceptional “escapability.”
  • “He wants to use that arm and throw it all over the place and...he doesn’t throw picks. I still think the absolute ceiling is the downfield aggressive assassin who doesn’t turn the ball over.” – Colin [59:43]
• Development & Outlook:
  • Both agree Williams’ tools are superstar level, but mechanics, line help, and offensive system are crucial for him to reach MVP caliber—potentially even making him next season’s dark horse MVP.
    • “I think Caleb is going to be a very trendy MVP pick next year. I think he’s going to have a monster season next year with Ben Johnson.” – Colin [63:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There is no even. So just own dynasties. They’re coming and they’re going to come in different forms.” – Colin Cowherd [05:17]
• “We worry way too much about, you know, tanking...Players want to play where they want to play.” – Danny Parkins [10:08]
• “Baseball is a booming, growing, huge business. They just make it from...We have a ton of inventory that a ton of people care about in a ton of places, and then it all adds up.” – Colin Cowherd [18:00]
• “Notre Dame...it’s an impressive place. It’s also a little smug. It just is.” – Colin Cowherd [32:24]
• “I still think It’s a little soon to say that he is a franchise quarterback for not beating the Titans.” – Colin Cowherd (on Shedeur Sanders) [45:59]
• “I think Caleb is going to be a very trendy MVP pick next year.” – Colin Cowherd [63:42]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• OKC Thunder/Dynasties: [03:49] – [14:48]
• Parity & Sports Branding: [07:55] – [14:48]
• International Players in Baseball & NBA: [14:48] – [23:33]
• Notre Dame’s Complaints & CFB Playoff: [30:28] – [41:34]
• Shedeur Sanders Conversation: [43:50] – [50:13]
• Caleb Williams Comp Discussion: [56:55] – [64:04]

Final Thoughts

This episode highlights the shifting sands in major sports: the analytics-driven dominance of small markets, the branding-versus-personality clash in league marketing strategies, the impacts of playoff expansion and realignment in college football, and the changing evaluations of quarterback stars from college to the NFL. Both Cowherd and Parkins bring direct, witty, and sometimes contrarian opinions, making this a must-listen for fans who want deep insight and frank debates about the future of American sports.