We continually talk about serving the collective good, creating inclusive environments and making ethical choices. The spectacle of multimillion-dollar contracts in athletics sends a conflicting message.

Since the onslaught of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in college sports, Brigham Young University has made it clear that it is not just willing to play the game — it is willing to pay top dollar.

The recent contract our football coach signed is the latest example. As a BYU student, I am deeply disturbed by the attitude our university has taken toward athletics.

Although the numbers are not officially confirmed, Coach Kalani Sitake’s new annual salary is reportedly in the ballpark of $9 million. Those millions could provide clean drinking water and food to people around the world; it could fund thousands of full tuition scholarships at BYU each year. Yet that same money is tied up in a single athletic contract. What does this suggest about BYU’s priorities?

I am not against sports, nor do I begrudge athletes or coaches for earning compensation. But BYU’s approach raises difficult questions about our values. President Shane Reese is clearly a big proponent of BYU athletics, but the frequency with which he attends sporting events, speaks of athletic outcomes and invests his bully pulpit and limited time in sports, can feel to the rest of campus like our academic focus lags behind. BYU cannot control what donors do with their money, but it can choose what it does with donor money, and that’s what students, faculty and Cougar Nation are watching.

BYU’s mission emphasizes providing an education that is spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging and character-building, with a focus on service and the full realization of human potential. How then, do we justify advocating for self-reliance, helping the poor and the needy and promoting ethical values while simultaneously celebrating multimillion-dollar contracts in athletics?

NIL deals became legal in 2021, creating opportunities for college athletes to profit from endorsements and sponsorships. BYU has clearly embraced this reality, investing heavily to compete financially and attract top talent. While the university maintains that its mission remains intact, the optics are hard to ignore. Students who work campus jobs are still earning sometimes under $10 an hour, while they see athletes and coaches earning millions. Professors researching cures for cancer, promoting democratic ideals, championing global ecological stewardship and strengthening families earn less than our assistant coaches. What message does this send about fairness, value and the culture we are promoting on campus?

Some defenders of this system argue that the sports budget is separate from university funds, and, technically, that is true. But every time BYU’s name, logo or likeness is used in media coverage, sponsorships or promotions, the university’s reputation is leveraged for profit. The supposed separation of funds does little to address the ethical and practical implications for the rest of the student body. What we are celebrating now is a kind of hypocrisy — one that contradicts the core principles meant to guide the university community.

In our classes, we talk often about serving the collective good, creating inclusive environments and making ethical choices. Yet, the spectacle of multimillion-dollar contracts in athletics sends a conflicting message. Sports can inspire and unite communities, and I have no wish to diminish athletic achievement. But BYU has to ask: Are we actually serving our mission, or are we just keeping people entertained with bread and circus?

I don’t see BYU’s attitude toward sports changing anytime soon. But the next time a student faces a family member with cancer, a community is devastated by a natural disaster or any urgent need arises, I expect BYU administrators, mega-donors and alumni to respond just as quickly and generously as they did to retain a football coach.

Elias Johnson is a senior honors student studying biodiversity in conservation at Brigham Young University.

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The NCAA has reached a settlement in principle with several states, including Tennessee, surrounding a lawsuit of name, image and likeness. Tennessee attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti announced the settlement in a statement Friday.

The lawsuit began when Skrmetti sued the NCAA alongside Virginia attorney general Jason Miyares. It was filed Jan. 31 of last year following an NCAA investigation into Tennessee and Spyre Sports. Prior to the lawsuit, Tennessee athletic director Danny White and chancellor Donde Plowman responded in statements against the NCAA.

A federal judge gave the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction on Feb. 23, temporarily suspending the NCAA’s regulations on name, image and likeness. Nine days later, the NCAA decided to pause the investigation into Tennessee athletics and Spyre Sports.

“We’ve been fighting hard to protect Tennessee student-athletes,” Skrmetti said in a statement. “Last year, we blocked the NCAA’s unlawful enforcement against Tennessee students and schools, and now this settlement in principle lays the groundwork for a permanent solution.”

Per the statement, the settlement will allow students to retain rights from NIL and not allow the NCAA to ban NIL recruiting procedures. Finalization of the settlement is scheduled for March 17.

Prior to the most recent investigation, the NCAA investigated the Tennessee football program, finding several violations from September 2018 to November 2020. The violations, numbering in their hundreds, resulted in significant punishment against Tennessee football.

Required reading

Why Donde Plowman sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker

State of Tennessee, NCAA conclude preliminary injunction hearing, expect decision in ‘short order’

Injunction granted in Tennessee vs. NCAA, court freezes NIL rules

Breaking down the state of Tennessee’s suit against the NCAA

Who is Jonathan Skrmetti? The Tennessee attorney general who isn’t scared

States of Florida, New York, District of Columbia join Tennessee’s antitrust suit against NCAA

Why adding Florida, New York, District of Columbia will benefit Tennessee in antitrust suit against NCAA

James Madison vs. Oregon. In the College Football Playoff. These are the weirdest of times.

When the field expanded to 12 teams, it meant we were eventually going to get a matchup like this.

On one side of the field stands Oregon, a juggernaut backed up by one of the most robust NIL budgets in the country, and on the other, James Madison, playing in just its fourth season at the FBS level.

James Madison now heads across the country to Eugene as 21-point underdogs, hoping to pull off one of the most profound upsets in the history of the sport.

James Madison vs. Oregon odds, prediction

The Dukes were unquestionably one of the best teams in the Group of 5 this season, but they also ranked 121st in strength of schedule, with their only loss coming against their lone Power 4 opponent — Louisville.

You can only beat the teams in front of you, however, and James Madison did that in style in 2025.

The Dukes had an average margin of victory of 21.5 points, went 8-5 against the spread and won eight games by at least three possessions.

James Madison hit the 45-point mark five times, including against a couple of decent sides in Old Dominion and Texas State.

That kind of scoring power certainly makes the Dukes a tough out as a 21-point underdog, especially since James Madison excels at controlling the clock.

Only two teams (Army, Miami) average more time of possession per game than the Dukes, who lean into the run more than just about anybody outside of the Service Academies.

Betting on College Football?

Whether or not the Dukes will be able to pull that kind of game plan off against an elite Oregon defense remains to be seen, but it bodes well for James Madison’s chances to cover a large spread that it is committed to the run. That should keep the clock moving, which is a great thing for underdog bettors.

Oregon is likely going to prove to be too much for James Madison over the course of 60 minutes, but the Dukes are uniquely set up to be a thorn in the Ducks’ side on Saturday night.

The Play: James Madison +21 (-110, bet365)

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.

PHOENIX (AP) — Freshman Ebuka Okorie scored a season-high 32 points to help Stanford beat Colorado 77-68 on Saturday night in the Hall of Fame Series at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Okorie made 6 of 13 shots with two 3-pointers and 18 of 21 free throws for the Cardinal (10-2). He entered averaging 21 points per game.

Benny Gealer hit three 3-pointers and scored 13, adding three steals for Stanford in a third straight victory. Chisom Okpara scored 11 but made only 3 of 12 shots and 4 of his 10 free throws.

Barrington Hargress had 16 points and six assists to pace the Buffaloes (10-2). Sebastian Rancik totaled 14 points and eight rebounds, while reserve Isaiah Johnson scored 11.

Rancik and Hargress both had nine points by halftime to help Colorado build a 35-33 lead.

Hargress followed his 3-pointer with a fastbreak layup, and the Buffaloes took their largest lead at 29-22 with five minutes left. Gealer had 3-pointers on both sides of one by Ryan Agarwal, and the Cardinal used a 9-2 run to tie it 33-all. Felix Kossaras scored with 1:37 remaining for the final points of the half.

Gealer hit a 3-pointer to tie it 37-all, sparking a 9-0 run for a six-point lead, and the Cardinal led for the final 18:20. Oskar Giltay scored to give Stanford its largest lead at 65-49 with six minutes left.

Up next

Stanford: Hosts Cal State Northridge on Saturday.

Colorado: Hosts Northern Colorado on Dec. 28.

___

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As many feared would happen, No. 6 seed Ole Miss completed dominated No. 11 seed Tulane 41-10 in its College Football Playoff First Round matchup Saturday night.

For weeks, college football fans have called for change to the CFP, which would keep Group of Five teams out. At the minimum, in still a rule that would prevent two Group of Five teams from making the College Football Playoff, which Tulane and James Madison both did this season.

The first game featuring a GO5 team was completely uncompetitive, as Ole Miss led 41-3 late into the fourth quarter until Tulane finally found the end zone with four minutes remaining. No. 12 seed James Madison will clash with No. 5 Oregon Saturday night in Autzen, providing one last chance for these such teams to prove they belong.

Late in the Ole Miss/Tulane broadcast Saturday night, ESPN’s Jesse Palmer pleaded with the sport of college football to limit GO5 schools’ inclusions into the Playoff.

“Listen, I’m all about inclusivity and I’m fine with one Group of Five team making it into the 12-team (Playoff),” Palmer said. “That team deserved to be Tulane. They won the best Group of Five conference and beat Duke, the eventual ACC Champion. But as a fan, I want to see the other 11 teams that have a legitimate chance of winning a National Championship.”

Jesse Palmer wants to cap the GO5 participation at just one team

“I think having seen Notre Dame in person this year, I think you (referring to broadcast partner Joe Tessitore) and I both feel that Notre Dame had a legitimate chance to compete for a National Championship,” Palmer continued. “I don’t know if James Madison really does. As we keep talking about and keep working towards getting the 12 best teams in the Playoff, I do think you have to cap the Group of Five participation at just one team.”

In the first iteration of the 12-team College Football Playoff last season, the Mountain West Conference’s Boise State earned the GO5 bid into the bracket. Unlike this season, the top four ranked conference champions earned a First-Round bye, before it was changed. The Broncos clashed with No. 6 Penn State in their Quarterfinals matchup and were blown out 31-14, adding even more fuel to the fire in the argument.

If James Madison is to get blown out Saturday night, chatter regarding the subject matter will continue to grow louder and louder. You can now add Jesse Palmer‘s name to the list of public figures calling for change to the College Football Playoff.

The quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff are upon us, which means the four top seeds will finally get their postseason campaigns underway after a lengthy break following conference championship weekend.

No. 4 Texas Tech waited the longest to officially learn its quarterfinal opponent. But given that No. 5 Oregon entered the first round as a three-touchdown favorite over No. 12 James Madison, the Red Raiders likely got a head start preparing for the Ducks. Despite a spirited effort from the Dukes, Oregon overwhelmed the Sun Belt champions to set up the expected Orange Bowl showdown with Texas Tech — a matchup that could be one of the best games of the entire Playoff.

There’s a fitting symmetry to the pairing. Oregon, once college football’s “new money” program, will face the NIL era’s fastest riser in Texas Tech. The Ducks have established themselves as a consistent national contender over the past two decades, while the Red Raiders poured major resources into their program and surged to the top of the Big 12 this season as a result.

In many ways, Oregon represents a blueprint for how a program like Texas Tech can build sustained excellence. On New Year’s Day in Miami, the Red Raiders will get a chance to show they’ve already closed that gap.

For two programs long defined by high-powered offenses, the defining trait of this season has been dominant defense. Both teams have been excellent offensively — they’re both top 10 nationally in scoring — but their defenses have been the engines of their success. As a result, both offenses will face a significant challenge trying to move the ball consistently in this matchup.

What to know about Texas Tech

The Red Raiders earned the No. 4 seed by riding one of the nation’s best defenses to a dominant season in the Big 12. Aside from a midseason stumble at Arizona State, Texas Tech bullied its way through the conference, including a pair of blowout wins over BYU that cemented a top-four finish in the CFP rankings and secured a first-round bye.

Texas Tech’s defense ranks among the elite nationally, finishing third in scoring defense at 10.9 points allowed per game — trailing only top seeds Indiana and Ohio State. All four of the Red Raiders’ AP All-America selections came on the defensive side of the ball, including first-team honors for linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and EDGE David Bailey.

That star-studded unit will be tasked with slowing an Oregon offense that found its rhythm in the second half of the season and finished ninth nationally in scoring at 38.2 points per game. When the Ducks have the ball, it will be a true strength-on-strength battle. Oregon ranked 14th in rushing offense at 218.4 yards per game, while Texas Tech finished No. 1 nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 68.5 yards per game.

Oregon faced two other top-10 defenses in 2025 and failed to crack 21 points against either — scoring 18 in a win over Iowa and 20 in a loss to Indiana. The Iowa game was played in a downpour, but Indiana held the Ducks to 81 rushing yards on 30 carries. Expect Texas Tech to study that film closely in hopes of replicating what the Hoosiers did up front with their own ultra-talented front seven.

The biggest question for Texas Tech is whether its No. 2 scoring offense can hold up against Oregon’s stout defense. The Red Raiders overwhelmed the Big 12, but in their biggest games — against Utah and BYU twice — the defense led the way. Oregon represents another step up in competition, and Behren Morton, Cameron Dickey and the rest of the offense will need to bring their A-game.

What to know about Oregon

The Ducks did what was expected in a convincing first-round win at home, overpowering James Madison to set up a heavyweight clash in the Orange Bowl.

The challenge for Oregon will be creating space for its playmakers against a hard-hitting Texas Tech defense. Against James Madison, the Ducks enjoyed a clear speed advantage and exploited it throughout the game. The margins will be far tighter against the Red Raiders.

Oregon typically sets up the pass with the run, but that approach may be flipped against Texas Tech. Quarterback Dante Moore could be asked to shoulder more of the load early, using the passing game to loosen the Red Raiders’ front and open opportunities on the ground.

Saturday night’s game against James Madison saw Oregon get almost anything it wanted offensively. That will not be the case on Jan. 1, but Moore looked sharp throwing the ball. His confidence and willingness to push it downfield will be critical if the Ducks’ offense is going to have success against Texas Tech.

Defensively, the question is whether Oregon can create negative plays to knock Texas Tech off schedule. The Red Raiders would prefer to lean on the run game and avoid putting too much on quarterback Behren Morton. Despite a strong overall defensive season, Oregon ranked near the bottom nationally in havoc metrics, finishing with 57 tackles for loss (113th in FBS) and 23 sacks (81st).

Texas Tech’s offense stalled early at times against Utah and BYU, largely due to backfield pressure. While both defenses eventually wore down after spending extended time on the field, the blueprint for slowing the Red Raiders is clear: generate pressure and speed up Morton’s decision-making.

Oregon has been steady defensively all season, but it may need to be more creative in manufacturing the disruption necessary to give Texas Tech problems.

Odds below via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Orange Bowl odds, prediction 

I expect a highly competitive game in Miami between the Red Raiders and Ducks as I think there are a lot of similarities between these two teams. Both defenses are excellent and when at their best, the offenses can put up points in bunches. To me this game comes down to which offense can create more explosive plays in a variety of ways, because both defenses are so talented and so good at adapting in-game. I give the Ducks the edge in that department thanks to Moore and see him leading Oregon to a bit of quarterfinal revenge after last year’s dud in the Rose Bowl. PICK: Oregon -1.5