What does NIL mean? NIL stands...

We live in some crazy times these days. The world as we know it is definitely changing. To survive we all need to be smart, strong and learn how to adapt and no, I’m not talking about politics or the economy or the war in Ukraine, I’m talking about sports in present day America and to be more specific I’m talking about football at the collegiate and professional level.

First, we all need to get ready for some big changes in college football. The collegiate game is definitely evolving. This year will be the first year that the effects of the transfer portal and NIL will be felt across the country in just about every conference and seen in every college stadium. Allowing players almost unrestricted opportunities to change schools and make millions off their own endorsements will add a new level to college athletics that has never been seen or experienced before. Many will say that these changes will have a negative impact on the games. Greed usually corrupts and history has shown us that this is correct however I feel strongly that it’s time to start sharing the wealth with the players. The Fat Cats in The Big Ten, The SEC, The ACC and all the other conferences and administrations are finally realizing it not all about them, it’s about the athletes. The NCAA and the national media outlets have made billions off the sweat and blood of college sports for decades. The time for change is well past due.

The first weekend of the college football season this past weekend made my point exactly. Both Notre Dame and The University of Southern California are led by transfer quarterbacks who a year or two ago were playing at another institution. Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at USC and Sam Hartman at Notre Dame threw for a combined total of 8 touchdowns as both teams trounced their opponents, and it’s only week number 1. Things could get very ugly for future opponents of both these schools as teams get better and better as the season progresses. Conversely, I mentioned both these schools last week as front runners for The National Title. Go figure.

 This year will also be the last year of the 4 team playoff format. Next year the playoffs for The National Title will expand to 12 teams. Love it or hate it it’s gonna make for some very interesting scenarios. Personally I feel it’s the beginning of the end for the consistently powerful teams from The SEC, The ACC and The Big Ten. With 12 teams out there playing for the championship I see upsets all over the board and some huge payoffs for those of us who might partake in parley play. I absolutely love the possibilities.

This past weekend saw the end of the NFL preseason. A long week awaits now as teams whittle down their rosters to 53 players. Of course there will be both disappointments and triumphs as dreams of playing in The NFL are made and broken. Additionally, some serious trading took place as The 49ers cast aside Trey Lance to The Dallas Cowboys making Dak Prescott the most insecure quarterback in The NFL. Irregardless of who stays and who goes there are some interesting placements of starters at the quarterback position. Rookie first rounders Anthony Richardson (The Colts) and CJ Stroud (The Texans) were both named as first week starters. Of course many teams are starting veterans at QB. Everyone from The Jets to The Bills to The Bengals and Dolphins have their slots filled at the position however many teams seem to be undecided and await a game week decision. New faces in new places like The Raiders, The Rams, The Saints, The Browns and The Commanders have left a big question mark in people’s minds so save this picks for game day mornings! For what it’s all worth, the season is set to begin. It’s only a matter of time now if we’ll find out who will step up to the plate and who will fall flat on their face. Stay tuned for my weekly picks!

 Lastly, let’s throw out some congratulations to some recent sports celebrities that have made the news wires and made our lives more interesting and enjoyable.

My congrats to The Little league Baseball Champions from California who won the championship game over Curaco with a walk off home run in the last inning. The excitement was as real as any MLB game! Little League World Series is always a great watch and you can’t help seeing the kids enjoying themselves and making life long memories!

 Congratulations to Leo Messi (again) who came off the bench for Inter Miami in his first MLS game and scored the game winner. Could it have been scripted any better? People are wondering if the fix is in at this point but from what I see the fox has been let loose in the hen house. Messi has simply out classed every team he has played. Hopefully tickets prices will start to drop but for now a decent seat at a home match is running around $1200, if you can get one! Until the cheap seats show up I’ll just have to watch it at home and say PLAY ON!!