What happens when college sports operate without anyone truly in charge?

Exactly what you’re seeing now.

In this episode of Just Wondering with Norm Hitzges, Norm Hitzges takes on two developments that point to a looming breakdown in college athletics — and neither one has a clean solution.

Norm begins with a court ruling involving former Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako, who declared for the NBA Draft, went undrafted, played professionally, and is now seeking to return to college basketball. A judge has temporarily ruled that the NCAA cannot stop him. Norm explains why this isn’t just about one player — it’s about the precedent. If this door stays open, what stops waves of undrafted football and basketball players from attempting pro careers, failing, and then pouring back into college sports with eligibility intact?

From there, Norm pivots to college football’s playoff mess. Despite widespread agreement that a 16-team playoff would have fixed most of this year’s problems, the SEC and Big Ten failed — again — to reach consensus. Instead, financial motivations, conference power plays, and a proposed 24-team playoff loaded with byes killed progress. The result: a flawed 12-team system that left deserving programs out while frustrating fans who just want fairness and clarity.

Throughout the episode, Norm returns to one central theme: the NCAA is powerless, university presidents won’t act, and conferences are chasing money at the expense of the sport itself. When no one’s willing to lead, chaos isn’t a surprise — it’s the outcome.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Just wondering about chaos coming to college sports

00:01:38 – The Charles Bediako case and a dangerous precedent

00:02:23 – Declaring for the NBA too early — and wanting back in

00:03:12 – A judge says the NCAA can’t stop it

00:04:00 – What happens if this ruling holds

00:05:00 – Undrafted players returning to college football

00:05:58 – “We are talking chaos here”

00:06:57 – The NCAA as a toothless tiger

00:07:48 – Sponsor break: Bob’s Steak & Chop House

00:08:25 – Full Moon Healing Balm and aging realities

00:09:10 – Why this year’s College Football Playoff failed

00:10:11 – Why a 16-team playoff made sense

00:11:20 – The Big Ten’s 24-team proposal and money motives

00:12:20 – Why 24 teams is “way too clumsy”

00:13:16 – Deadlines missed and progress stalled

00:14:03 – Remembering the four-team playoff disaster

00:14:52 – Power brokers vs. fans and the sport itself

00:15:16 – Sponsors and closing thoughts

00:16:08 – Final sign-off

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Tyler is back with a brand new episode of The Sunset Soccer Club, diving into a six pack of news and information impacting the USMNT and broader soccer world. Weston McKennie is flying at Juventus, but for how much longer? Gio Reyna isn’t playing (again), and we keep a close eye on the injury report for a few key USMNTers.

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Sometimes a sports day doesn’t feel loud — it just feels important.

In this episode of Just Wondering with Norm Hitzges, Norm Hitzges breaks down two significant moves by Dallas teams that signal intention, urgency, and calculated risk.

First, Norm dives into the Cowboys’ hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator. At just 34 years old, Parker arrives with one of the most important credentials in the NFL: five years working under Vic Fangio. Norm explains why Fangio’s defensive philosophy — hybrid fronts, disguised coverages, and confusion by design — could be exactly what Dallas needs, and why the current roster actually fits a transition to a 3–4 defense better than many realize. The challenge now becomes roster construction: linebackers, secondary help, and tough contract decisions that will determine whether the scheme can truly take hold.

Then the focus shifts to baseball, where the Texas Rangers make a bold trade to acquire Mackenzie Gore, a former top prospect and All-Star starter with undeniable talent — and a troubling pattern. Norm walks through Gore’s career arc, from elite first halves to second-half swoons, and asks the central question: can the Rangers unlock consistency where others couldn’t? The cost was steep, including top prospects and further damage to an already thin farm system, but the need was undeniable. With an aging rotation, the Rangers are betting upside matters more than depth.

It’s not optimism or pessimism — it’s realism. Two big swings by two franchises trying to solve real problems, knowing full well that neither move comes with guarantees.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Two major moves in Dallas sports

00:01:28 – The Cowboys hire Christian Parker

00:02:19 – Why Vic Fangio’s influence matters

00:02:55 – The Fangio defensive blueprint explained

00:03:44 – Why the Cowboys’ roster fits a 3–4 defense

00:04:28 – Kenny Clark’s contract and tough cap decisions

00:05:18 – The linebacker problem Dallas must solve

00:06:35 – Draft targets and Sonny Styles’ potential fit

00:07:27 – Why this is a genuinely good day for the Cowboys

00:07:49 – Turning to the Rangers and their pitching need

00:10:11 – Remembering Mackenzie Gore as a top prospect

00:10:52 – How Gore ended up available

00:11:22 – Why the Rangers desperately needed a starter

00:12:10 – Evaluating the current rotation honestly

00:12:47 – Gore’s troubling second-half struggles

00:13:25 – Can the Rangers fix the inconsistency?

00:14:14 – What Dallas gave up in the trade

00:15:43 – The prospects involved and long-term cost

00:18:01 – Why Washington made the deal now

00:18:46 – Gore’s role in the Rangers’ rotation

00:19:27 – The farm system fallout

00:19:48 – Why the risk still makes sense

00:20:42 – Sponsors and closing thoughts

00:21:23 – Final sign-off

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