College Football Thoughts

Some preseason college football observations.

• Last week a former NCAA player who had turned pro and played in a game as well as 15 other players were granted eligibility by a Louisiana court. The ruling comes in the wake of the new 5 for 5 rule which was not available to these players

• Curt Cignetti says he wouldn’t mind playing Notre Dame but only under certain conditions. Coach Cignetti had the Irish on the schedule but dropped them. He should be reminded that actions speak louder than words.

• Oklahoma and Brent Venebles have reached a six year contract which should keep him the coach of the Sooners till 2031. It adds 2-years to his existing deal but bumps his average pay to $10.5 million a year.

• One lingering question is if the Louisiana court ruling could also open the door for QB Diego Pavia to return to Vanderbilt. Pavia was already cut by the Ravens and is available.

• Have to wonder if Jayden Daniels has an off week when College Gameday will be at an LSU game and Daniels is made guest picker. Having the guest picker select team of the school they attended is pretty much a given but with the Tigers giving away the former Heisman Trophy winner’s number this pick could have extra drama.

• Prediction - even though great things are being predicted by some for USC and coach Lincoln Riley the Trojans have a brutal schedule and may under-perform leading to Riley being let go. He may take next year off or maybe go to the NFL as an OC.

• Vanderbilt’s coach Clark Lea may have thought he had no shot at 5-star recruit Jared Curtis but after getting call from among others Diego Pavia - Curtis picked the Commodores over Georgia and now may get the call to be the starting QB. How ironic if that choice somehow blocks Pavia’s return.

• Cignetti’s conditions are two home games for Indiana to one home game in South Bend and that the Fighting Irish join a conference. Coach Cignetti should also be reminded that the reason the Irish are independents in the first place is because the Big 10 blackballed them.

• The Patriot League denied Villanova QB Pat McQuade’s eligibility for 2026. See that’s the way you do it - no need for the NCAA or the courts.

• One has to wonder if Nate Bargatze becomes to Vanderbilt what Shane Gillis became to Notre Dame. If so - what comedian is next? Does Will Ferrell and USC get grandfathered into this?

Was having these observations anyway and figured may as well jot them down and put on Substack.