2025 College Football Thread

[MU82]

We're at the point now where it can't be a coincidence that every bye team has lost in the expanded CFP. The schedule really needs to be addressed.

Sample size is too small IMHO. Let's see in another 2-3 years. Despite the results of these last two years, I think if you polled all coaches, the majority would say they'd rather have the bye and need fewer victories to win the title.

On a related note, I really like this final four. Different teams from the same ol' same ol' and good storylines.

Indiana is the best story in college football. Ole Miss, jilted by its coach and led by a QB who got no major offers and wasn't even the starter early this season, is a great story. Lots and lots of "experts" felt Miami shouldn't have even been in the tournament. Oregon, often a contender but never a champion; will this be their year?

I'm rooting for that famed and feared football school, Indiana! But I really won't be rooting against anyone.

[Billy Hoyle]

All four semifinalists are led by a QB they got from the portal.

Moore is an interesting story. He committed to Oregon, UO signed Nix, so, Moore flipped to UCLA, then transferred back to Oregon and was willing to sit a year behind Dillon Gabriel.

Chambliss was brought in from D2 to be a backup, and he was willing to do that to get an FBS P4 opportunity. The Ole Miss starter went down injured, and the rest is history for Chambliss. He has the chance to be the first ever starting QB to win a D2 and D1 championship.

[PointWarrior]

Badgers seemingly put their money where their mouth is and spend money in the portal. $2M for a QB.   Who knows if any good, who knows if a good QB can overcome the coaching staff woes...

[Billy Hoyle]

UW-River Falls knocks off six time defending champ North Central to win the D3 title. The first title for UWRF and their first time in the playoffs since 1996.

[WhiteTrash]

Badgers seemingly put their money where their mouth is and spend money in the portal. $2M for a QB.   Who knows if any good, who knows if a good QB can overcome the coaching staff woes...

And IU dropped $4M on a QB for next year. Yikes.

[MU82]

I paid $4 million for Marquette's next QB.

[WhiteTrash]

I paid $4 million for Marquette's next QB.

That check, while I don't doubt is good, will never be cashed?

[MU82]

That check, while I don't doubt is good, will never be cashed?

People are saying that MU is bringing football back, and they're saying it very strongly,

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[WhiteTrash]

People are saying that MU is bringing football back, and they're saying it very strongly,

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The Golden Avalanche will rise again!!!

[CreightonWarrior]

Badgers seemingly put their money where their mouth is and spend money in the portal. $2M for a QB.   Who knows if any good, who knows if a good QB can overcome the coaching staff woes...

In fairness to Fickell QB1 has gone down with a season ending injury early in the season every year of his UW tenure. That being said, very brave of this kid to accept his fate of a September ACL tear.

[Billy Hoyle]

And IU dropped $4M on a QB for next year. Yikes.

and he wasn't their top choice - Leavitt went to Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky!

[Pakuni]

And IU dropped $4M on a QB for next year. Yikes.

Texas Tech says hold my beer and reportedly gives Brendan Sorsby $5 million.

[WhiteTrash]

Texas Tech says hold my beer and reportedly gives Brendan Sorsby $5 million.

And a great NFL backup, Malik Willis makes $1.4M 

[MU82]

And a great NFL backup, Malik Willis makes $1.4M 

Based on all the other stuff going on, he probably could return to college for a big payday.

(Actually, he'll probably get a big payday in the NFL.)

[JWags85]

Badgers seemingly put their money where their mouth is and spend money in the portal. $2M for a QB.  Who knows if any good, who knows if a good QB can overcome the coaching staff woes...

The amused cynic in me says it's a lot of money for a QB who was not good at ALL against Indiana, and struggled very notably against Troy and JMU, the only 2 legit programs they played in the Sun Belt.  He's a solid QB, but he's not Drew Mestemaker

and he wasn't their top choice - Leavitt went to Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky!

I think UK splashing $4-5MM for a QB is insane, cause they aren't just a good QB away from contending.  However, from Leavitt's perspective, I actually totally get it.

He and his brother (who is his agent and overbearing advisor) are pretty singularly focused on his earning potential and then NFL prospects.  That caused the friction at ASU that allegedly, according to some, lead to Dillingham more or less kicking him off the team.

So then you look at UK and 1) the money is right and 2) while not a contender, they hired Will Stein who is probably the most revered coordinator in the country as it relates to QB development.  He did incredible stuff with Harris at UTSA, then went on a complete heater at Oregon with Nix, Gabriel, and then Moore.  Thats a really smart guy to spend a year playing for before declaring, which is what I'm certain is Leavitt's plan

[Billy Hoyle]

The amused cynic in me says it's a lot of money for a QB who was not good at ALL against Indiana, and struggled very notably against Troy and JMU, the only 2 legit programs they played in the Sun Belt.  He's a solid QB, but he's not Drew Mestemaker

I think UK splashing $4-5MM for a QB is insane, cause they aren't just a good QB away from contending.  However, from Leavitt's perspective, I actually totally get it.

He and his brother (who is his agent and overbearing advisor) are pretty singularly focused on his earning potential and then NFL prospects.  That caused the friction at ASU that allegedly, according to some, lead to Dillingham more or less kicking him off the team.

It isn't just his brother but mainly his father. Leavitt's parents bought a house in East Lansing when he went out to MSU, then when Smith was hired, they refused to even talk to him because Smith didn't offer local boy Leavitt in HS when Smith was at Oregon State. I guarantee his parents refer to Sam as their "investment."

[JWags85]

It isn't just his brother but mainly his father. Leavitt's parents bought a house in East Lansing when he went out to MSU, then when Smith was hired, they refused to even talk to him because Smith didn't offer local boy Leavitt in HS when Smith was at Oregon State. I guarantee his parents refer to Sam as their "investment."

I forgot about that, I remember his dad being very offended that BYU didn't offer based on being alum and Sam's brother playing there.

I just have read that his brother is making a lot of the noise with ASU and this current transfer.

[Shaka Shart]

It isn't just his brother but mainly his father. Leavitt's parents bought a house in East Lansing when he went out to MSU, then when Smith was hired, they refused to even talk to him because Smith didn't offer local boy Leavitt in HS when Smith was at Oregon State. I guarantee his parents refer to Sam as their "investment."

Sounds like west Linn!

[MU82]

I love this from The Athletic ...

Almost exactly one year ago, a North Texas walk-on freshman named Drew Mestemaker made his first start at QB since ninth grade. Filling in for Virginia transfer Chandler Morris, he loaded the box score in a First Responder Bowl loss to Texas State, and then most people resumed not thinking about the First Responder Bowl.
 
Fast forward exactly 365 days after that Jan. 3 bowl: Mestemaker, FBS' only 4,000-yard passer this season, agreed to follow coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. A walk-on just 12 months prior, Mestemaker now has a two-year deal averaging $3.75 million per season, the Tulsa World reported.

[tower912]

That is even better than the Trinidad Chambliss story.