These young men leaving the CU football program want wins. Wins equal NIL money.

– Joe, ninja-like tendencies

Kiz: Maybe it was Deion Sanders’ magnetic personality that attracted wide receiver Omarion Miller and safety Tawfiq Byard to Boulder. But they’re both hitting the transfer portal, because, as it turns out, the Buffs’ top offensive playmaker and most impactful defender from a wretched 3-9 CU team find money more attractive than Coach Prime. We comin’? They leavin’. Louis Vuitton cuts both ways, eh? 

Maybe it’s not such a doom-and-gloom situation with Sanders and the Buffs if other football programs are getting hit by the transfer portal in the same way.

– S.D., Buffs fan

Kiz: Can you handle the truth? Sanders came to Boulder to make the CU football program a pro showcase for his son and Travis Hunter. Coach Prime also got his bag. More power to him. But CU was so busy countin’ the money from the increased attention that athletic director Rick George was blind to what’s painfully obvious now. The University of Colorado is not a serious football program. As a coach, is Prime ready to get serious about becoming something more than an Aflac pitchman? We’re fixing to find out.

The NIL mess has ruined college football, Kiz.

– Allison, chasing the sun

Kiz: I am all for an athlete at a big-time football school getting paid, because it’s a strenuous and pressurized job. Always has been. But college football has become a game without any semblance of financial rules, loyalty or ethics. That’s not sport, it’s chaos. College football is my first love. So, this mess not only hurts my heart, but it also gives the Buffs next to no shot at winning another national championship.

The college football system is a wreck. So much is wrong that I wonder how you begin to fix it. The question isn’t: What would you do to fix it? In a practical sense, it’s more like how do you convince people to make the necessary changes?

– Z., Denver

Kiz: ESPN should replace its happy little charade of bowl week with more meaningful programming and call it tampering week. Texas at San Antonio playing Florida International in a bowl on the day after Christmas is a complete waste of everybody’s time, especially when you consider UTSA coach Jeff Traylor expects 20 of his players to opt out of their last dance with teammates. “I hate what’s going on in college football,” Traylor said. “It’s sad, it really is sad. I never thought we’d be punished for making a bowl game by being leveraged, that if you don’t give (players) a certain number, they’re not going to play in a bowl.” Nothing short of a collective bargaining agreement, with binding contracts between players and college teams, is going to fix this mess.

And today’s parting shot warns the Broncos to not start taking their football magic for granted.

Beware the Jags. The Broncos will be facing a tough test. Denver needs to keep its edge. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence is playing at a high level. Fingers and toes crossed.

– Z.G., true Bo-liever

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.

The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.

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.