It’s Monday, and we are back at it! We are now in the lull of the college sports calendar, but never fear, there is still news coming your way. Check out our original coverage and what we can find from the World Wide Web below.

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Going into his second season at the helm for the Aggies, Coach Calhoun discussed where the score will come from without Ian Martinez and thinks it will be a bit more by committee next year behind Mason Falslev. On the defensive side of the ball, Calhoun wants to become the best defense in the league. He values his team’s versatility, able to go to man, matchup zone, and switch on screens. Also, he likes the length and size they added in the transfer portal, but acknowledged other teams did better in that area and ultimately, the program and his tenure will be judged on the championships they win.

Even with revenue sharing looming, NIL figures to be here to stay in some form, although many of the collectives may be reimagined or consolidated. Bill Paulos is in charge of the UNLV NIL Collective and he says the first question when hiring new coaches is how strong the NIL program is. He tells donors NIL will look different in the near future, so they should donate even if they don’t like the current look of it. He thinks more regulation will be coming to NIL deals and also sees raising funds as the path to the Big 12.

Chris Murray rates his confidence level for each position on a scale of 1 to 10. Running back is the highest spot on offense, at a 7. O-line and tight end are at a 6, while quarterback and wide receiver are at a 5. Over on defense, the defensive line and linebackers both get a 5, while the defensive backs check in at a 6. The lowest confidence score is reserved for the special teams only get a 3.

New Mexico’s Oriach is a semifinalist

Outdoor T&F Champions

On the horizon:

• Later today: A new MW Recruiting Roundup, discussing recruiting camps.
• Coming Tuesday: Reacts Survey
• Coming Tuesday: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Kicker/Punter Preview
• Coming Tuesday: Reacts Survey
• Coming Tuesday: Hike’s Peak Podcast Episode 103
• Coming Wednesday: Peak Perspective: 2024 may have been the last of the good old days for Mountain West football.

It was a dramatic weekend in College Station, Texas for the softball regional. The Liberty Lady Flames, led by head coach Dot Richardson and a veteran group, were able to outlast the No. 1 national seed Texas A&M in a win or go home Game 7 Sunday night, 6-5.

With the win, Liberty advances to the program’s first ever Super Regional. The Lady Flames will tangle with No. 16 Oregon in the Super Regionals. The Ducks advanced with two wins Sunday over Stanford.

Here is the schedule for this week’s Super Regional round:

Liberty vs #16 Oregon

Game 1: Friday, May 23, 10 p.m., ESPNU
Game 2: Saturday, May 24, 7 p.m., TV TBD
Game 3: Sunday, May 25, TBD

The best of three series will be played in Eugene, Oregon at Jane Sanders Stadium. The winner of the weekend series will be one of eight teams to advance to the Women’s College World Series scheduled to begin May 29 in Oklahoma City.

The NIL Conundrum: A Tug of War Over Talent and Equity

In the world of college sports, a seismic shift occurred in July 2021 with the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, fundamentally altering the landscape of collegiate athletics. This change, monumental in its scope, has ushered in an era of both opportunity and uncertainty. At the heart of the ensuing debate stands a towering figure, Nick Saban, whose voice resonates with authority and concern over the future of college football.

A Visionary’s Warning

Nick Saban, a name synonymous with success in college football, has emerged as a vocal critic of the potential pitfalls associated with the NIL rules. His apprehensions are not unfounded; the specter of college football transforming into an outright bidding war for talent looms large. Saban’s perspective is rooted in a deep understanding of the game and its intricacies. His cautionary stance highlights a critical question: Can the essence of collegiate sports be preserved amid the burgeoning influence of financial incentives?

The Heart of the Matter

The crux of the debate centers around fairness and equity. The NIL rules, while designed to empower student-athletes by allowing them to profit from their name, image, and likeness, also open the door to unprecedented challenges. The fear is that wealthier programs could leverage their financial clout to attract top talent, thereby skewing the competitive balance that is a hallmark of college sports. This potential shift towards a pay-to-play model threatens to undermine the principles of amateurism and equal opportunity that have long defined the collegiate athletic experience.

A Delicate Balance

The introduction of NIL rules represents a watershed moment, offering student-athletes newfound freedoms and opportunities. Yet, it also necessitates a delicate balancing act. Ensuring that the pursuit of financial gain does not eclipse the educational and developmental objectives of college sports is paramount. The challenge lies in crafting a framework that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders—athletes, institutions, and fans alike—while maintaining the integrity of the games.

The Road Ahead

As the landscape of college sports continues to evolve in the wake of NIL rules, the dialogue spearheaded by figures like Nick Saban is crucial. The conversation must navigate the complexities of fairness, equity, and the preservation of the collegiate sports ethos. Finding a middle ground that honors the spirit of competition while embracing the modern realities of athlete compensation will be key to shaping the future of college football.

A Reflection on Values and Vision

The ongoing debate over NIL rules and their impact on college football transcends the immediate concerns of recruitment and competition. It touches upon deeper questions about the values that underpin collegiate sports and the vision for their future. As the discourse unfolds, the insights of seasoned leaders like Nick Saban offer a guiding light. The path forward requires a collective commitment to fairness, integrity, and the enduring principles that have made college sports a cherished tradition. In navigating these uncharted waters, the goal must be to uphold the legacy of collegiate athletics while adapting to the changing times with grace and foresight.

In a college football world driven by NIL, the transfer portal, and an ever-changing College Football Playoff landscape, constants and consistency are words that seem to have less to do with the sport ever year.

The exception is Kirk Ferentz and Iowa Football.

Ferentz will turn 70 years old in August and kick off his 27th season at the helm of Hawkeye football just a few weeks later. Both his age and longevity are rarities in today’s game, and that longevity does not happen without a certain level of consistent success.

It’s time for us as college football fans to collectively recognize and respect what Kirk Ferentz has done.

Ferentz took over Iowa football in 1999. Bill Clinton was still in office. If you’re keeping score, we’ve had five different presidents and six different presidencies during Ferentz’s tenure in Iowa City. That alone is a solid bar room conversation starter.

In terms of actual coaching accolades, Kirk Ferentz has three Big Ten division titles and two Big Ten conference championships to his name. He was the AP and Walter Camp National Coach of the Year in 2002 and won the Bobby Dodd, Eddie Robinson, and Woody Hayes National Coach of the Year awards in 2015.

He has also won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award four times.

Ferentz has only had three losing seasons during his 26 years as Iowa’s head coach, and one of those was a result of losing a bowl game to finish with a 6-7 record. When you take out the shortened Covid season of 2020, Iowa averages just shy of 8 wins a season during his tenure. That would be an impressive run for an entire program over that span, let alone a single head coach.

Perhaps his most impressive accomplishment is turning Iowa football into an NFL factory despite its geographic recruiting advantages. Ferentz, his staff, and his system have mastered the art of player development. There are currently 38 former Iowa players on NFL rosters or in NFL camps. Of those 38 players, 20 of them were 3-star recruits according to 247 Sports. Four of them were 2-stars.

Iowa football rarely beats itself on Saturday. Instead, they sit back and wait for opponents to make a mistake. More often than not, the Hawkeyes jump all over that mistake in the form of one big play that turns the tide in their favor.

Kirk Ferentz has given Iowa football and its fans an identity. They are the model of consistency and toughness in college football. They know exactly who they are, and in a world of coaching carousels, you can’t put a price tag on that.

There will be a lot of questions about coaches, teams, players, and playoffs when the 2025 college football season kicks off this August. Thanks to Kirk Ferentz, there will be few questions from anyone about what to expect from a football standpoint in Iowa City, IA.

For us college football purists and old souls, Kirk Ferentz is the last remaining relic from the game we fell in love with. It’s time for the collective college football watching nation to acknowledge and respect what he has done before he leaves the sport.`

The first stage of the NCAA Tournament has concluded, and we are one step closer to crowning a champion of college softball. Following an exciting Regional round this weekend, the Super Regionals are set.

The second stage of the tournament will feature eight best of three series between Regional champions. These matchups will begin play on May 22 and conclude on May 26, if a game three is necessary. The winners of these two cities will meet in Oklahoma City at the 2025 Women’s College World Series later this month.

One of the biggest storylines to follow coming into the tournament is whether or not Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma Sooners can win a fifth-straight NCAA Championship. In their first-year in the SEC, they won the regular season outright and were co-SEC Tournament champions with Texas A&M after a weather delay turned into a cancellation of the conference championship game. Their road to the College World Series is not yet paved, though, and they’ll have some stiff competition if they want to achieve the ultra-rare five-peat.

2025 NCAA Softball Super Regional matchups

Eugene Super Regional: Liberty vs. No. 16 Oregon

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Norman Super Regional: No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Alabama

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Gainesville Super Regional: No. 3 Florida vs. Georgia

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Fayetteville Super Regional: No. 4 Arkansas vs. Ole Miss

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Tallahassee Super Regional: No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 12 Texas Tech

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Austin Super Regional: No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Clemson

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Knoxville Super Regional: No. 7 Tennessee vs. Nebraska

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Columbia Super Regional: No. 8 South Carolina vs. No. 9 UCLA

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

All times ET.

2025 Women’s College World Series

May 29 through June 5 or 6 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma