SEC who?

purplefaithful wrote:

Thats a good point, I hadn't connected the dots at that level...

I think what Indiana did was nothing short of amazing. And I'm not just talking about the on field success, but how Cignetti embraced the new college football landscape, tools and process to a degree that damn near lapped all other programs..Ok, maybe not quite that but it was still breathtaking imo.

All that said, I'm not sure if Miami wouldn't win 5 out of 10 if they played each other that many times in a row. I thought they might pull the rug out at the end.

Indiana is thanking this guy, wouldn't have happened without him:

Although the exact amount of Mark Cuban's donation to Indiana University is not known, he informed CBS Sports in October that he made a significant contribution to the athletics department after Curt Cignetti took over as head coach in 2024. In an era dominated by name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, where donations often seem like mere transactions, Cuban has positioned himself as a partner in building excellence at Indiana.

JimmyinSD wrote:


wasnt it you a few weeks ago that said you didnt know that he was IU footballs banker?

I only really know him from his ownership of the Mavs and that show on TV... no thanks,  I think hes a pompous dick,  I had forgotten or repressed the memory of him buying IU a football program enough to cheer for them last night,  or that may have just been me really not wanting to see Miami win.

side note... did anybody else things Becks eyes made it look like he passed out in Irvins cereal bowl before the game?

The media and some romantic fans want to spin this like the IU football team was a group right out of 'Hoosiers' that were plucky and just out toughed their opponents in some homespun way. Nope, bought and paid for with a really good head coach and a clutch QB bankrolled by a billionaire. That is the way today.

Meanwhile, in golf......

https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/michael-la-sasso-signs-liv-golf-masters-exemption-forfeir-ncaa-champion/

Money talks, bullshit walks. Gave up his Masters invitation to join LIV. $$$

purplefaithful wrote:

Wait, I thought we didnt care about culture?  Ok, just giving you a hard time Supa ;)

lol.

Did paying players happen in the past? Of course. To the NIL level? Not in the same universe. Teams have collectives now that contribute money to players, almost like political PAC donors. Some schools have bigger collectives than others or a big donor that knocks it out of the park. And Nick Saban is right, getting southern players to come north to play is HARD. But $$$ always talks. Listen, I'm a Michigan fan but fully understand how lucky the sports program is to have Larry Ellison's 5th wife be a Michigan alum and fan of sports.

The next evolution for the NIL period IMO is going to be the QB. Why would any program recruit a top nationally ranked QB coming out of high school anymore and give them big money right away? Even a guy like true Freshman Bryce Underwood, who is maybe the highest rated prospect to come out in 10+ years, had a first year learning curve and then Michigan had to fight to keep him this upcoming year with the new regime coming in. I'd rather get a Bryce Underwood heading into his Junior year after a few years of seasoning. Some of these guys have zero problem hitting the portal EVERY year.

There are a LOT of pretty good QBs hitting the portal each year that have thrown a ton of passes, are seasoned and mature: that makes so much more sense for programs that have stacked rosters like Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, etc. You need a guy to steer the ship, not make glaring mistakes and that gets you to the CFP or damn close for the top 20 programs. Let other programs season a QB and then swoop in and snag him out of the portal. Not saying its right, fair or anything else...its just the cold reality of it.

JimmyinSD wrote:


I see binding contracts for NIL in those cases,   pay them big coming out,  maybe some incentives to be paid on top,   but have a substantial penalty if they decide to leave for another school.

Zero doubt the NIL rules need to be tweaked. But good luck with that, don't see that changing in the near future. The CFP ratings were off the chart.