Official 2021 College Football thread

[Cuckoo]

We just need a bench picture with him sitting next to OU players Joshua Eaton and Marcus Major...

[miami_fan]

Division I Council waives initial counter scholarship limits in D-I football for two years

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Division I Council waives initial counter scholarship limits in D-I football for two years

The wild west expands. The limits were needed and way overdue when they were implemented but with the portal it's become impossible for most schools to get anything close to 85 scholarships with the 25 per class limit.

[GrantDawg]

Jimbo Fisher has chosen violence.

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[albionmoonlight]

No idea who is "right" here. But people have been worshiping Saban for so long that it is kind of cool to see someone just come out there with "Fuck that fucking guy."

[miami_fan]

Jimbo, Deion, et al are living rent free in Nick Saban's head.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban says Texas A&M 'bought every player,' questions whether current NIL model is sustainable

I don't even disagree with much of what he is saying. But it is a bit rich for Alabama's head football coach wishing the NCAA had more control over college football.

[BYU 14]

JIMBO FISHER OFFFF THE TOP ROPE pic.twitter.com/yVN6HobqkQ

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 19, 2022

[JPhillips]

Aren't they both right? A&M did buy their players, but that isn't against the rules anymore.

[bhlloy]

Yeah, I mean the best rebuttal to this I’ve seen is asking how exactly a failed NFL head coach managed to sign the #1 class in the nation coming off a 7-6 season without doing exactly what he’s accusing Jimbo of, but hey ho. Saban obviously sees his reign at the top coming to an end if he doesn’t lobby for a less even playing field.

[albionmoonlight]

You spend your whole career learning to excel in a certain system with certain rules. Then something like the NIL comes in and flips the gameboard.

I can see why Jay Wright retired. I'm wondering if we will see a few more of the old guard follow. Better to leave on top.

[HomerSimpson98]

I dont understand why Jimbo is making this personal. I watched the whole 7 minute "rant" and Saban did not say one thing that was incorrect. Like JPhillips said above, there arent rules against pay for play right now. aTm alums ponied up and paid for players. He needs to own that. Same with Deion. Any idiot can see that this model will wreck college football.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

No idea who is "right" here. But people have been worshiping Saban for so long that it is kind of cool to see someone just come out there with "Fuck that fucking guy."

yasssssssssss

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

I dont understand why Jimbo is making this personal. I watched the whole 7 minute "rant" and Saban did not say one thing that was incorrect. Like JPhillips said above, there arent rules against pay for play right now. aTm alums ponied up and paid for players. He needs to own that. Same with Deion. Any idiot can see that this model will wreck college football.

You don't understand why somebody is pissed that the guy who is "allegedly" the one who has been illegally paying players for years comes out and attacks another coach for legally paying players? Feels like Saban made this personal first. I don't have any love for Jimbo but I'm 100% on his side here. Saban easily could have attacked the rule without bringing specific colleges into it. Especially when there's another team in his conference who is paying a 2023 QB $8m and his players all coincidentally seem to have brand new dodge chargers.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Saban was, as usual, spot on.

That's what hurts the lowest of the low the most, he was on the money (so to speak)

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

You don't understand why somebody is pissed that the guy who is "allegedly" the one who has been illegally paying players for years comes out and attacks another coach for legally paying players? Feels like Saban made this personal first. I don't have any love for Jimbo but I'm 100% on his side here. Saban easily could have attacked the rule without bringing specific colleges into it. Especially when there's another team in his conference who is paying a 2023 QB $8m and his players all coincidentally seem to have brand new dodge chargers.

What good would it do to dance around the subject? Shit isnt illegal, let's get it out there. I'm an Aggie grad and Jimbo comes off sounding like a complete bitch. He should have just said "hey no rules anymore, our alum have oil money. We didnt break a single law." And thats it. Instead, he takes this personally and goes into this personal attack on Saban. Like him or not, Nick is the best there's ever been at the college level, and Fisher playing this childish game is sketchy at best. Shit, Jimbo's job should be on the fucking line. Outside of the Covid year, he's stolen $10M per year from us.

[tarcone]

Oh No! A non-blue blood has figured out how to beat us. Wah, wah, wah. Fuck you, Saban.

[bronconick]

Saban was the first coach to boast about his QB getting a million $ NIL deal. He's basically telling Bama's boosters to open the checkbook wider under the guise of complaining about the game. He can continue to fornicate himself as far as I care.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by bronconick

Saban was the first coach to boast about his QB getting a million $ NIL deal. He's basically telling Bama's boosters to open the checkbook wider under the guise of complaining about the game.

100% this. And I'm with Homer here - it's amusing and hypocritical when it's Nick Saban (or Lane Kiffin) saying it, but it's 100% true A&M boosters ponied up for the #1 class in the country, and while I'm sure there is some wink wink stuff the NCAA or SEC could try to slap them on the wrist for it's 100% legal for A&M boosters to pay for that.

[RainMaker]

Saban upset he might have to play teams with equal talent. We saw how that worked out for him in the big leagues.

[Edward64]

I am going to enjoy watching the A&M vs Tide games.

My bet is on Saban coming out ahead. Coaching over recruiting stars any day.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Edward64

I am going to enjoy watching the A&M vs Tide games.

My bet is on Saban coming out ahead. Coaching over recruiting stars any day.

"Recruiting" belong in quotation marks at this point .. unless it's now synonymous with "buying"

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

"Recruiting" belong in quotation marks at this point .. unless it's now synonymous with "buying"

Same difference to me. We know how the top tier SEC schools got their talent. It's just more transparent now.

[GrantDawg]

It was always buying. The difference now is how much is out in the open.

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[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

It was always buying. The difference now is how much is out in the open.

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Bullshit. Not at this level.

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by Edward64

I am going to enjoy watching the A&M vs Tide games.

My bet is on Saban coming out ahead. Coaching over recruiting stars any day.

Yeah, they'll whip our asses like they always do. I dont understand pissing off the biggest, baddest fucking dog in the pound

[Ksyrup]

Lots of eye rolls out the back of the heads of people in Tallahassee over Jimbo's "I don't lie" line. Not sure what's worse - paying for players or abandoning your program before a season starts and allowing it to die on the vine while you plan your get away. All of this was public posturing with a purpose that went well beyond the specifics of what they said about each other.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

Bullshit. Not at this level.

If you are to believe some coaches and fans you are absolutely right. Paying players never happened so yes, it would not be at this level.

The reaction to the openness does not make sense to me. I understand those that believe the players should not be getting paid. I disagree but I understand. But people being bothered that the boosters are telling us they are paying the players instead of having them "work" for the local car dealership doesn't make sense to me. Is it that we are clinging on to the idea that my favorite coach/school would never but our rivals always did? Are we shocked that linemen are getting paid and not just the skill positions?

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

Bullshit. Not at this level.

Everyone's selling something. Alabama sold players on playing for a team that's on national TV constantly. They sell their $20 million coaching staff and facilities that would make some NFL teams blush. A pipeline to a lucrative NFL career.

It's not like Alabama isn't playing the NIL game too.

[GrantDawg]

"At this level" as in money? No. But were players at major programs getting paid under the table? Absolutely.

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[tarcone]

Jeez, aTms boosters buy the #1 class, while Iowas Booster got his nephew on the team as the punter. We cant even buy players right.

[Vegas Vic]

Jimbo Fisher rants on Saban (parody)

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[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

The reaction to the openness does not make sense to me. I understand those that believe the players should not be getting paid. I disagree but I understand. But people being bothered that the boosters are telling us they are paying the players instead of having them "work" for the local car dealership doesn't make sense to me. Is it that we are clinging on to the idea that my favorite coach/school would never but our rivals always did? Are we shocked that linemen are getting paid and not just the skill positions?

I think it's just something that people didn't want to believe was happening as much as it obviously was. You can't convince yourself/pretend that way anymore. It feels different to have it be outright payment as opposed to 'like the campus/coach/atmosphere/location/academics/development potential' all of which are payment, just of a different kind. The 'mercenary' bit of it doesn't sit well, but I don't think it really changes all that much below the surface.

[NobodyHere]

I don't understand the idea that NIL has ruined college football. This has been the most entertaining offseason in college football that I have witnessed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

I don't understand the idea that NIL has ruined college football. This has been the most entertaining offseason in college football that I have witnessed.

And it's pretty much the least interested I've been in college sports in 54 years on the planet.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And it's pretty much the least interested I've been in college sports in 54 years on the planet.

Pourquoi?

[GrantDawg]

Even if there aren't rules put into place to cut back on some of the NIL madness, eventually much of it is going to calm down. Once boosters realize they can't just buy a National Championship, and many of the players they shell out so much money won't even play significant snaps for the schools they are supporting, the money will come down to earth.

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[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Even if there aren't rules put into place to cut back on some of the NIL madness, eventually much of it is going to calm down. Once boosters realize they can't just buy a National Championship, and many of the players they shell out so much money won't even play significant snaps for the schools they are supporting, the money will come down to earth.

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At some point a salary cap seems likely. And maybe that's how the split between college sports & pro sports actually comes about: with the cap also comes a salary floor.

That'll get it down to 2-3 dozen teams real fast, then maybe actual college athletics can start to return.

[Swaggs]

Granting immediate eligibility on transfers is a bigger problem to me. And doubly so at the same time as the NIL stuff.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Granting immediate eligibility on transfers is a bigger problem to me. And doubly so at the same time as the NIL stuff.

100%, at best players should get 1 free transfer, after that they sit a year. Otherwise this will devolve into a battle of the most well funded alumni at the most prestigious institutions and the game will be more unbalanced than it is now.

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Even if there aren't rules put into place to cut back on some of the NIL madness, eventually much of it is going to calm down. Once boosters realize they can't just buy a National Championship, and many of the players they shell out so much money won't even play significant snaps for the schools they are supporting, the money will come down to earth.

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Nah, the next tiny dick bastard with too much money on his hands will step up and try it at the next school. I see lawsuits from donors to schools and maybe even kids themselves for ROI, breaches, money owed, etc. This is an endless cycle.

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

I think it's just something that people didn't want to believe was happening as much as it obviously was. You can't convince yourself/pretend that way anymore. It feels different to have it be outright payment as opposed to 'like the campus/coach/atmosphere/location/academics/development potential' all of which are payment, just of a different kind. The 'mercenary' bit of it doesn't sit well, but I don't think it really changes all that much below the surface.

I dont disagree with this and I am not naive to think there wasnt some $100 handshakes and all that. The Reggie Bush thing was stinky as was the Clowney and Ole Miss/Hugh Freeze things. But those were clear violations of enforceable rules and they got punished for them. And I really dont think it was THAT prevalent in the world. I've known several kids/parents of kids that went to play D1 ball and it wasnt rampant. Yeah, there was some shady shit for sure. But not kids pulling down $500K-$1M for just being a talented high school senior.



And I do think the "mercenary" bit DOES change alot below the surface, on top of the surface, everywhere. It destroys/cheapens dang near everything that makes college football great. As students, we went to class with these players, struggled with classwork together, scrounged pennies with them for beer money, as we were kids just trying to get by and get through. Hard for that to occur now with this kind of money.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson98

As students, we went to class with these players, struggled with classwork together, scrounged pennies with them for beer money, as we were kids just trying to get by and get through. Hard for that to occur now with this kind of money.

If your enjoyment of a product is based on whether the participants are poor enough for your liking, you may have some messed up priorities.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I'm all for these kids getting paid whatever the market says they should be and allowing them the freedom to go to whatever school offers them the best chance to further their career - be it a professional football career or in some other field. For far, far too long colleges, NCCA, networks, coaches, and more have profited on their hard work and talent.

This is likely going to be put my favorite program - Michigan - even further behind the big time programs, but I'm fine with that.

It will be really interesting to see how all of this plays out over the next few years.

[bob]

I think its perfectly reasonable to have the dual opinions that:

1) Kids should be able to be paid whatever the market will provide.
2) The current wild west is going to decrease my personal enjoyment of the sport.

Now, you can argue screw my opinion #2, but if it happens to enough people, whatever the market will provide will go down.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by bob

I think its perfectly reasonable to have the dual opinions that:

1) Kids should be able to be paid whatever the market will provide.
2) The current wild west is going to decrease my personal enjoyment of the sport.

Now, you can argue screw my opinion #2, but if it happens to enough people, whatever the market will provide will go down.

I agree. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the popularity of the sport. Once the season begins, it's fall, it's Saturday, the bands are playing, and all of that will all of this NIL and transfer portal stuff really matter?

There are really only a very small number of teams each year that seem to have any kind of legit shot at a National Championship and it tends to largely be the same small number of elite programs. I think NIL and the transfer portal won't change that all too much, but it may just shift which colleges make up that small number of elite schools.

All of a sudden you have potential power houses - at least in the near term - in USC and Texas A&M, neither of which has been in the national championship discussion in many, many years.

This will likely hurt Michigan. They don't seem to be too terribly onboard with this at the moment. Their current recruiting class is far from impressive.

I don't mind that chaos a bit and am interested to see how it all shakes out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

If your enjoyment of a product is based on whether the participants are poor enough for your liking, you may have some messed up priorities.

Boo hoo hoo my ass.

These pampered bitches are getting an opportunity that literally millions would die (or kill) to have. And that's just the free ride to school part of it.

I'm 100% fine with someone starting a semi-pro league, a minor league, the NFL opening their doors wide, whatever. Don't care if they get paid, just not at the expense of the complete destruction of college sports. That shit belongs somewhere else.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by bob

I think its perfectly reasonable to have the dual opinions that:

1) Kids should be able to be paid whatever the market will provide.
2) The current wild west is going to decrease my personal enjoyment of the sport.

Now, you can argue screw my opinion #2, but if it happens to enough people, whatever the market will provide will go down.

well said

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

If your enjoyment of a product is based on whether the participants are poor enough for your liking, you may have some messed up priorities.

Yeah fuck that. You missed my point

[HomerSimpson98]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

well said

bob said it better than i did - very much agree

[Atocep]

The original intent of NIL was to make money off your name, image, and likeness; jerseys, shoes, video games, commercials, ads, ect. It's so far beyond that it's simply become pay to come to our school and ransom (in some cases) to stay at the school.

The system will either end up regulated or die because what's going on right now isn't sustainable. My overall interest in college sports is probably the lowest it's been in my lifetime and the NIL is only a small part of it. When you combine the current version of NIL that we're seeing plus free transfers it kills a big part of what made college sports fun. Following these athletes and their development as they represented your school was what made college sports fun for me. When we're seeing 30% of a sport's athletes transfer, and in many cases they're multi-year starters, just to make more money at another school it's laughable to even call this NIL anymore.