College athletics currently lives in the same world as a middle aged man with fantastic genetics and horrible habits. The naive optimist in him is quick to remind himself that no doctor has ever seen a problem with him, and that was true for his father and his father before him. Meanwhile, in addition to poor diet and lack of exercise, he just went from occasionally smoking in secret to firing up multiple packs a week out in the open.

The strong as steel relationship between fans and their alma mater, local school or childhood favorite team has never wavered for well over 99% of fans in the lifetime of college sports. It’s a bond that in many parts of the country is stronger than the connection to a professional team, religion, or even a spouse. And even for the most pessimistic of fans, they will still come crawling back after walking away a few times before they can truly cut out the addictive connection. Try as you will, there are legendary, joyful, and painful moments that will always stay with you. From the Kick Six to Kemba Walker’s ankle-breaker, Kris Jenkins’ shot to Ezequiel Elliot’s run.

As the current landscape stands in 2025, it remains a relatively favorable situation. The twelve-team playoff in college football revived my rapidly dissolving passion, thanks to 2024 being the most compelling season in well over a decade. The game-to-game tension of the thirty-one-game college basketball regular season has easily surpassed the NBA’s eighty-two-game snoozer in this century. The talent may be better, but the clearly lessened effort and player absences can’t compete with the life or death feeling swirling around every game in the conferences capable of getting at-large bids, but not just by waltzing to a .500ish record (ACC, Big East, A-10, Mountain West and PAC-12 again soon).

Traditionally smaller sports are growing in fan engagement as well, especially volleyball, baseball and softball.

Meanwhile, problems that threaten to destroy the very essence of college athletics are creeping in with a Dementor’s darkness and speed. Fans have made it clear that much more than a super majority does not want athletes playing for four schools in four years, or a college football playoff with a certain number of auto bids for certain conferences, or seeing more teams with losing records in conference play in the NCAA Tournament.

The old world of paying players under the table at the biggest schools was the secret cigarette of athletics. Everyone knows it’s going on, but the need to hide kept it under reasonable control. All of the boundaries are gone now and while that short term rush is hitting everyone, something awful is silently building up beneath the surface.

Blotting out of those issues is the constant whisper of a threat that twenty to forty of the biggest schools could always form their own league with the unlimited ability to pay players who likely wouldn’t even enroll in the school. While the massive fanbases of these teams would support them in any format, the big schools seem to underestimate that becoming an independent minor league would quickly place them a lot closer to the UFL than the NFL.

There is nothing in America that social media loudmouths are more united on than a desire for college athletics to refrain from continuing down a path of completely unregulated and unlimited payments to players, all the while those players have absolutely nothing preventing them from leaving their current team just a few minutes after arriving. Yet, everyone is resigned that this is how it will be. A giant wall of water is bearing down, and their foot is stuck right in its path.

That powerless feeling stems from the one unanswerable question in college sports that encompasses all of the other problems. You can better regulate NIL, begin to restrict transfer rules again and maybe even get conferences realigned closer to geographic reasonability. None of that will matter without a fundamental shift in responsibility.

Is there a future in which the major stakeholders in college athletics begin to care about the medium-to-long term again?

One great year is all that is needed now to get a promotion. Players get bigger paychecks to transfer. Coaches get hired for higher-profile jobs. Athletic directors and school presidents get promoted to bigger and richer institutions. Even conference commissioners can step up to higher-regarded leagues, or find a high-paying private sector job.

All of this constant movement has created a singular pressure for success in each year. Plans for future development, whether it’s a player growing his skills or a coach building a program, are now moot. Take new Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum, for example. He was a four time National Champion at Division II who couldn’t generate any interest from Division I programs until Drake took a chance on him. One singular 31-4 season at the top level was enough for him to land a power conference gig. That would have been preposterous just a few years ago.**

Athletic directors are basically running legal Ponzi schemes now. If they can bring in a lot of money in one to three years at the helm, they get to carry a big bag of cash with them on the way out. Who cares if that short-term gain is a long-term detriment? The person who’s signature is on the document will long gone by the time that ramifications come.

It runs entirely counter to what happens in professional leagues, where owners desire to continue building up their franchise values, rather than just maximizing their single-year income. The NFL and NBA make decisions with the next ten years in mind. Many in college couldn’t care less about the end of the next twelve months.

Some of the lack of foresight in college athletics comes with greed, some comes from teenagers not having their priorities straight, but it all has the same damaging effect. How to fix it is a multi-billion-dollar question, one that I will pose without much of an idea of the right answer. How do we bring the importance of long-term building back into the minds of the major stakeholders of college athletics?

**Do not put it on the record that I slandered Ben McCollum. It was an extremely aggressive hire by Iowa, but I’d bet that he is a good enough coach that they will get away with it.

The post Colorado football’s Deion Sanders blasts NCAAF’s current NIL situation appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With Deion Sanders and the Colorado football team working the recruiting trail, a wide-ranging topic in the grander scope of college football has been around name, image, and likeness (NIL). Though there have been some major wins on the recruiting trail for Sanders and the Colorado football team, he would speak on Wednesday about the issue with NIL and the transfer portal.

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Sanders would be present at Big 12 media days with other head coaches in the conference and would be asked about his thoughts on NIL and how it should be regulated. The former NFL great would say there should be a “cap” with NIL and the amount of money given to players, mostly from the vantage point of some teams not being able to match the bigger programs.

“I wish it was a cap, you know, like the top-of-the-line player makes this, and if you’re not that type of guy, you know, you’re not gonna make that,” Sanders said. “That’s what the NFL does. So the problem is, you got a guy that’s not that darn good, but he could go to another school, and it gave them a half a million dollars. You can’t compete with that. It don’t make sense. And you’re talking about equality, and all you have to do is look at the playoffs and see what those teams spent.”

Colorado football’s Deion Sanders on NIL

Even with the criticisms around the topic, the Colorado football team and Sanders have utilized the transfer portal and NIL, but only because they have to to get the players they desire. It still doesn’t take away from the fact that Sanders has many issues with the system, saying that it is “hard to compete” with teams that can shell out an immense amount of money for top players.

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“And you understand why they made the playoffs, it’s kind of hard to compete with somebody who’s given 25, 30 million dollars to a darn freshman class. It’s crazy,” Sanders said. “We’re not complaining, because all these coaches up here could coach their butts off and given the right opportunity with the right players and play here and there, you’ll be there, but it’s what’s going on right now, don’t make sense. And we want to say stuff, but we’re trying to be professional, but you’re going to see the same teams during the end, and with somebody who sneaks up in there, but if the team that pays them more, that pays the most, will be in.”

The Buffaloes open next season against Georgia Tech on August 29.

Related: Volunteers land 2026 DB recruit over SEC foes Georgia, South Carolina

Related: Why coaching is ‘easier’ for Deion Sanders without Shedeur, Shilo

There are less than two months left until kickoff, which means it’s almost time for fans to switch their focus back to college football. 

And with that, sportsbooks have released win totals, game lines and so much more for the regular season. 

Let’s dive into my favorite picks for how a few teams will perform this upcoming season. 

Illinois Under 8.5 wins

There is also an Under 7.5 (+135) available out there, but as I’ve said in the past, I do not mind playing for an extra game buffer. 

The Illini are a super-trendy team this season, and while I don’t expect a losing season, the roster does have questions. 

Will the losses of Zakhari Franklin and Pat Bryant affect Luke Altmeyer’s production? The defensive line boasts three newcomers and can the running back room of Aiden Laughery and Kaden Feagin stay healthy? 

Illinois went 9-3 last year, but thrown in there were OT wins against Nebraska and a dreadful Purdue team, as well as a Kansas turnover-implosion early in the season, and a miracle win at Rutgers. So we’re talking about close to 5-7. 

There are five games that immediately appear like possible losses on the schedule — at Duke, at Indiana, USC, Ohio State and at Washington. Heck, maybe the game in Madison late in the year turns into a “let’s beat our old coach” rally. 

Put aside the discussion of this being a playoff team, nine wins in itself will be quite a feat.

PICK: Illinois (-150) Under 8.5 wins

Houston Over 6.5 wins

The Cougars offense was one of the worst in the country a year ago, as Houston was shut out twice and held to 10 points or fewer in three other instances. 

Enter Texas A&M transfer Conner Weigman at quarterback, along with multiple wide receiver and tight end imports via the portal. 

Willie Fritz has a knack for quick fixes and in this league, where we saw the team picked last in 2024 win the league, it’s quite possible another major turnaround happens here. 

Nobody should be surprised if the Cougars bring a 4-0 mark into the home game with Texas Tech and with four of the teams expected to be the worst in the league — Oklahoma State, Arizona, West Virginia and UCF — on the schedule, there’s a definite path to a big Year 2 turnaround here.

PICK: Houston (+120) Over 6.5 wins

Miami to make College Football Playoff

A poor defense kept the Canes out of the College Football Playoff last year, but new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman was brought in from Minnesota to fix as many issues as there are. 

The good news for Hetherman is he will have a full year of Rueben Bain to work with, as well as a secondary which could be open of the best in the country, which is saying something after the unit struggled mightily last year. 

Carson Beck will look to return to 2023 form after an elbow injury, and to help him do that, he will have one of the best offensive lines in the country and the deepest running back groups around. 

The Canes’ schedule has two huge non-conference skins on it — a season-opener against Notre Dame and a date with rival Florida — and both are at Hard Rock Stadium. Win one or both of those and Miami will have two premier non-conference wins. This will basically mean it just has to avoid completely throwing up on itself in ACC play to reach the CFP for the first time, as was the case with SMU last year, a team that didn’t have near the same non-conference slate as this and was able to make the Playoff despite a loss in the ACC title game. 

The avenues to make the Playoff are many — winning the ACC, beating Notre Dame and/or Florida and losing the ACC title game. Or, even beat both ND and Florida, happen to lose out on a spot in the ACC title game and make the Playoff at 10-2.

PICK: Miami (+200) to make College Football Playoff

Chris “The Bear” Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an “occasional” wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He’s a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, “The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!” Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica.

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Eleven players from the 2025 Montana softball team have been named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced this week.
 
The players honored all recorded a GPA of at least 3.5 for the 2024 fall and 2025 spring semesters.
 
This year’s honorees: Hailey Boer (Biology), Anna Cockhill (Business Administration), Grace Haegele (Elementary Education), Siona Halwani (Communication Studies), Grace Hardy (Management and Entrepreneurship), Hannah Jablonski (Math Education), Grace Lopez (Psychology), Cameryn Ortega (Communication Studies), Makena Strong (Communication Studies), Sveva Sweeney (Business Administration), Madison Tarrant (Journalism).
 
Haegele, Hardy and Strong become three-time All-America Scholar Athlete, while Jablonski and Tarrant were recognized for the second time.
 
Haegele, Strong and Tarrant were named Academic All-District last month by College Sports Communicators.

When he was named head football coach at the University of North Carolina, seven-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick proudly proclaimed that the Tar Heels would become the “NFL’s 33rd team.”

It’s been reported that former Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg earned upwards of $28 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation and endorsements during his one year with the Blue Devils.

And new N.C. State basketball coach Will Wade was investigated and subsequently fired for allegedly paying players during his time at LSU. With no trace of irony, his ability to pay players and construct a winning roster, primarily through the transfer portal, was cited as the primary reason for his hire by the Wolfpack.

To quote the famous line from Bob Dylan: “The times they are a-changin’.”

The NCAA that most of us know is virtually unrecognizable now. Terms like NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment and House settlement have forever altered the landscape of college sports. There is no question that we are looking at the professionalization of college football and basketball at the Division I level. The term “student-athlete” is nothing but a quaint reminder from the past, and the reality is that most football and basketball players are now more employees than students, and the whole enterprise has become transactional.

NIL legislation started with good intentions a few years ago. Student-athletes should be compensated for their name, image and likeness, especially now that college athletics has become a multi-billion-dollar business. However, NIL is a misnomer, as there were few guardrails put in place by the NCAA, and it quickly evolved into a recruiting inducement and pay-for-play system. To be clear, I don’t begrudge the athletes who are capitalizing; I wish NIL had been around in the 80’s when I played basketball at William & Mary. Back then, I was thrilled with an occasional post-game sandwich and maybe a pitcher of beer!

This new era of college sports is still wildly popular. Stadiums remain full, TV ratings go up every year and donors are spending millions to help build championship-caliber rosters. There is a never-ending chase for more money, and increased spending. And like many of you, I remain a fan and am still captivated by the College Football Playoff and March Madness (both of which are looking to expand, by the way).

I believe strongly in the power of sports to lift people up, to teach valuable lessons and forge lasting relationships. I know it because I lived it as a college basketball player and coach, and now as an athletic director. I know that coaches are educators, leaders, role models and mentors. I know the incredible value that a college degree holds, and the way it can impact a family for generations.

At Barton College, we approach athletics from a transformational standpoint, not a transactional one. We offer life-changing opportunities to our 700 student-athletes, and our focus is guiding them down the path of resilience and growth. You’ll see them not only on the field or court, but also serving as orientation leaders, resident assistants and research associates. While we play to win — and we do it a lot — the biggest “game” on the schedule is always graduation day. Athletics supports the mission and business model of the college, providing a positive and nurturing student-athlete experience, and competing to win in the classroom, in competition and in the Wilson community.

You can root for the Heels, Devils, Pack, or Pirates, but we are Wilson’s hometown college team, and we have no doubt you’ll root for the Bulldogs.

We have great coaches and staff, beautiful facilities, and talented student-athletes who compete at a high level. You know what we are? We’re what college athletics used to be, and what it was meant to be. We may have some navigate the transfer portal and a few Bulldogs dipping their toes into the NIL waters, but most of our student-athletes, including football and basketball players, are here to get a first-class education and to learn and grow as people.

Our games are affordable and many are free, and you can bring your kids onto the field or court after the game for a photo, no problem.

I look forward to seeing how Belichick and Wade do, and I’ll be rooting for Cooper Flagg.

But mostly, I’m proud to be part of the team, Wilson’s hometown team, at Barton College, where we still do it the right way.

Ken Tyler is Vice President and Director of Athletics at Barton College. A former NCAA Division I basketball player and coach in Divisions I, II and III, Tyler has spent over 30 years in college athletics. Prior to Barton, he served as Director of Athletics at the University of Mary Washington and West Virginia Wesleyan College. Tyler resides in Wilson with his wife Dr. Leona Ba Tyler.

James Franklin has turned Penn State into a consistent winner, but one recruiting expert believes the Nittany Lions are falling behind in the battles that matter most.

While Franklin’s 101-42 record speaks for itself, the question remains: why can’t Penn State land the elite recruits needed to compete for championships?

Why Is Penn State Losing Top Recruiting Battles Despite James Franklin’s Success?

James Franklin left Vanderbilt after winning 61.5% of his games there. That performance ranks as one of the best coaching jobs of the last 25 years. No one wins that many games at Vandy, a school rich in academics but a football pauper.

When he arrived at Penn State, he encountered another, unexpected problem. Franklin needed to help distance the program from the Joe Paterno Era, which was filled with championships but also controversy.

Bill O’Brien succeeded Paterno, but you could still sense the ghosts of bad memories that overshadowed greatness. Franklin built the Nittany Lions into perennial winners. In 11 seasons, his teams finished with double-digit victories. Plus, the school keeps turning out NFL stars, like Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons.

However, in the NIL era, the school cannot get over the metaphorical hump. Recruiting expert Brian Smith stopped by the “Locked On Nittany Lions” podcast to discuss why the team cannot secure the best of the best in the new money period of the sport.

“NIL is a big part of it, but I think the biggest is still relationships. They just lost (recruits) to teams with excellent assistant coaches. Penn State will have some of the battles go their way. It’s just par for the course.”

Breaking down that quote reveals the real issue. NIL money matters, and when you share a conference with Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon, you must find a workaround or get creative. According to 24/7 Sports, Franklin’s Lions hold down the 15th spot in the 2026 rankings. In most conferences, that would guarantee a championship. However, the Big Ten is no ordinary conference.

What Can Franklin Do to Fix Penn State’s Recruiting Problems?

Jumping into the pool for four- and five-star recruits sounds good, but what’s the backup plan when they don’t arrive? Hitting the portal for above-average players isn’t always a guaranteed bonus.

Hiring great recruiters is something Franklin can fix. Recruiting remains the lifeblood of the college game. Building connections with area, state, regional, and national high school programs matters. Walking into a high school coach’s office and dropping your business card on the desk isn’t enough for Penn State. They are not Alabama.

RELATED: James Franklin, Penn State Lose 2026 4-Star QB Peyton Falzone to Auburn in Shocking Flip

One underdiscussed aspect of the recruiting issues is that Franklin’s name perennially appears as a candidate for just about every major coaching job. From afar, that hangs above the program. Is it a ploy to earn a raise or a more extended contract? Or does Franklin actively search for jobs?

Franklin can coach and run a top football program. His 101-42 record with Penn State solidifies that fact. However, at what point are 10 wins during the regular season insufficient?

Always the bridesmaid, the football program must find a way to break through. Getting to the CFP isn’t enough, nor is winning a few games. To cement his legacy, Franklin must bring a championship to State College. Can the team find a way to not only survive the conference grind but also catch fire in the playoffs?