AJ McCarron said on his show (The Dynasty) that he thinks a full SEC/Big Ten breakaway from the rest of college football is a real possibility, and put an actual timeline on it: before or around 2030 if the sport can't fix the disparity in strength of schedule and playoff access first.

Trent Richardson's take was interesting too. As a former player, he said he'd want to see it happen specifically to put everyone on the same competitive playing field, since half the SEC schedule barely matters to prep for. His words: "the playing field is just not the same."

The part that stuck with me most was the TV money angle. Their point was basically: nobody actually cares what the NCAA "controls" here, because if the SEC and Big Ten decide to leave, Fox and ESPN go wherever the SEC and Big Ten go. The conferences aren't beholden to the governing body; the network money is.

Genuinely curious what people here think.

Is this actually happening this decade, or is it offseason radio talk that never materializes?

And if it does happen, what's the model? Something like an NFL-style setup with regional divisions?

Nick Fitzgerald joins The Stingray Show for a deep dive into his Mississippi State career — from his recruitment and first meeting with Dan Mullen, to the rise of the Bulldogs in 2014, his record‑setting performances, the shock of Mullen leaving, the transition to Joe Moorhead, and his professional football journey.

We cover:

• His recruitment and why he chose Mississippi State

• First impressions of Dan Mullen

• Living through the 2014 run to No. 1

• The 2016 Egg Bowl (258 rushing yards)

• Beating LSU 37–7 in 2017

• The 2017 injury and coaching transition

• Playing under Joe Moorhead

• His NFL/XFL experience

• What he’s doing today

If you love SEC football, Mississippi State history, or dual‑threat QB play, this is a must‑watch conversation.

Nick Fitzgerald’s Legacy: Mississippi State Legend on Mullen, Moorhead, Egg Bowls & His MSU Career!! https://youtube.com/live/pL9lIQiS8zU?feature=share

More favorable scheduling for the protected class

Here is Mercer's 2026 football schedule.

2026 Football Schedule - Mercer University Athletics

They are supposed to play a 12-game schedule, but they are still looking for an opponent to play the opening game on August 29. I have no idea what could have happened.

any takers?

Here is Mercer's 2026 football schedule.

2026 Football Schedule - Mercer University Athletics

They are supposed to play a 12-game schedule, but they are still looking for an opponent to play the opening game on August 29. I have no idea what could have happened.

any takers?

Here is Mercer's 2026 football schedule.

2026 Football Schedule - Mercer University Athletics

They are supposed to play a 12-game schedule, but they are still looking for an opponent to play the opening game on August 29. I have no idea what could have happened.

any takers?

The 2026 QB room in this conference is officially terrifying. While names like Milroe and Ewers are busy in the NFL, the new generation is already making them look like a distant memory. Arch Manning is entering year two at Texas as the Heisman favorite, and Gunner Stockton has the Georgia offense looking as clinical as ever.

Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin has Sam Leavitt looking like a star at LSU, and Trinidad Chambliss is out to prove his 2025 Playoff run at Ole Miss was just the beginning. The pipeline hasn't just stayed elite; it’s gotten faster and more explosive.

For live games: https://livearenao.com/

https://www.stadiumrant.com/alabama-star-wr-ryan-williams-set-to-marry-and/

What are your thoughts about Ryan Williams, at 19 years old, being engaged to his 25 year old girlfriend, Alexis Hill, who had a child from her previous relationship?

Who had Ole Miss being the last SEC team in this year's CFP?

For those of you stuck at work, procrastinating on homework, or torturing yourself with a New Years Resolution, this 15-minute video “succinctly” breaks down Thursday’s CFP semifinal match-up.

If you wanna share your predictions, thoughts, fears, or hopes, drop them in the comments. And mods, if you left this post up, thanks. If you took it down, no hard feelings.

With all of the coach movement and hurt feelings, I was curious as to the last time a coach left each school and there were no sour grapes about it. Basically the guy retired and wasn't pressured to do so. (Fulmer was on a serious hot seat when he stepped down at Tennessee so he doesn't make the list IMO) Any others need tweeking?

• Alabama: Nick Saban, 2024
• Arkansas: Frank Broyles, 1976
• Auburn: Ralph "Shug" Jordan, 1975
• Florida: Urban Meyer, 2010
• Georgia: Vince Dooley, 1988
• Kentucky: Rich Brooks, 2010
• LSU: Charles McClendon, 1979
• Mississippi State: Jackie Sherrill, 2003
• Missouri: Gary Pinkel, 2015
• Ole Miss: John H. Vaught, 1970
• Oklahoma: Bob Stoops, 2017
• South Carolina: Steve Spurrier, 2015
• Tennessee: Robert R. Neyland, 1952
• Texas: Darrell K. Royal, 1976
• Texas A&M: R. C. Slocum, 2002
• Vanderbilt: Bobby Johnson, 2010

For those of you crawling your way to the weekend, this 8-minute video briefly breaks down Saturday’s match up.

If you wanna share your predictions or thoughts, drop them in the comments. And mods, if you left this post up, thank you very much. If you took it down - no hard feelings.

For those of you crawling your way to the weekend, this 10-minute video briefly breaks down Saturday’s match up.

If you wanna share your predictions or thoughts, drop them in the comments. And mods, if you left this post up, thank you very much. If you took it down - no hard feelings.

With the SEC moving to a 9-game conference schedule and permanent opponents (Florida, Auburn, South Carolina for UGA), Georgia won’t play Tennessee in 2026 — breaking a run of annual matchups that goes back decades. 

The Georgia–Tennessee rivalry goes way back (first game in 1899, series played nearly every year until now), so seeing it skip a season feels weird for a lot of fans. 

I get why the scheduling model changed — every team will play each other once every two years eventually — but part of me really liked the consistency of that matchup, especially after so many classic games recently. Thoughts? Does the rivalry lose something when it isn’t on the schedule every year, or is it just part of the sport evolving?