The college football landscape never sleeps.

While the rest of the world sees the off-season as "downtime," we know better. This is when the real chess match begins—where programs are built, careers are made (or broken), and next season's headlines are quietly being written behind closed doors.

Here's what we're tracking for you this off-season:

We're going deep on the teams with everything to prove in spring ball. The coaches who need statement seasons. The contract dynamics that could trigger the next wave of coaching moves. And, of course, our signature preseason Hot Seat rankings that have correctly predicted major program shifts for the past decade.

But this year is different.

The House settlement isn't just another headline—it's a seismic shift that will reshape college sports as we know it. We're analyzing how this will transform recruiting, development, and, most importantly, which coaches are positioned to thrive in this new era.

Add to that our comprehensive analysis of the Transfer Portal's winners and losers, high school recruiting, and transfer success rates. You're getting the most complete picture of where college football is headed.

First things first, though: Check your spam/promo folders if you don't see us in your main inbox. Drag us where we belong—your primary inbox. Also, please add us to your address book right now - while its fresh on your mind. This isn't just about convenience. Your email program needs to know that you want to see us - It's about ensuring you never miss the kind of intel that changes how you see the game.

Welcome to the off-season. This is where championships are really won.

BEST LINKS

Ohio State Using Crowdsourcing to Reward Athletes - Ohio State Buckeyes athletes are privy to a creative platform for raising NIL funds in college football in a partnership with Five Star Fans. Buckeye Nation can purchase internal currency and reward athletes in real time for specific plays. LINK 

We often hear from “suits” in college athletics. How about the students? Watch student-athletes take questions from reporters and share their perspectives on issues such as player’s rights and collective bargaining. LINK 

Nebraska is doing away with its spring game. Will others follow? "The word 'tampering' doesn't exist anymore," Rhule said Saturday at his midwinter news conference. "It's just an absolute free open common market. I don't necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, 'He looks like a pretty good player. Let's go get him.'" LINK 

If you thought 2024 brought significant changes, wait til you see what 2025 has in store. Collective bargaining, a players union, and employee status are all on the table. Here’s a preview of what’s coming (and what’s not.) LINK 

DEEP DIVE

Buyouts - The Most Expensive Game in College Football

College football isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about money—lots of it.

Across the FBS landscape, schools spend staggering amounts on fire coaches who didn’t meet expectations. The price tag? Tens of millions—sometimes more. And in the cutthroat world of college football, patience is in short supply.

Auburn’s $87 Million Question

Auburn University knows this all too well.

The school has shelled out $67 million since 2000 to send coaches packing. Now, Hugh Freeze could be next. If Auburn pulls the trigger, they’ll be on the hook for another $20 million, pushing their total buyout tab to an inflation-adjusted $87 million.

Think about that—nearly $90 million spent on failure.

The Freeze Experiment Gone Wrong

Hugh Freeze arrived at Auburn promising a quick turnaround. The offense would be dynamic. Quarterbacks would develop. Auburn would close the talent gap.

Instead, Auburn fans are watching a nightmare unfold.

• A losing record in the SEC.

• Humiliating home losses (including one to Cal).

• A struggling offense with no identity.

And if Auburn had cut ties with Freeze by December 1, 2024? The buyout would have kicked in—$20.3 million for yet another failed experiment.

The Buyout Bubble: Can It Continue?

Auburn isn’t alone. Buyouts are skyrocketing across the FBS.

• Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M - 2023): ~$76 million.

• Gus Malzahn (Auburn - 2020): $21.45 million.

• Willie Taggart (Florida State - 2019): $18 million.

• Charlie Weis (Notre Dame - 2009): $19 million.

At some point, even the wealthiest boosters will push back.

Why Buyouts Are So High

Schools justify these massive payouts by saying it protects them from losing top coaches to competitors. But buyouts are often more about coaches protecting themselves than desperation.

Here’s what’s driving the cost:

• Coaches demanding job security – Buyouts ensure they aren’t fired on a whim and are given time to build a program properly.

• Fear of losing a rising star – Schools offer big guarantees to keep other programs from poaching their guy.

• Poor contract negotiations – Schools panic and hand out absurd deals with too much security.

• Booster-driven decisions – Wealthy donors bankroll these moves, even if the decision isn’t financially sound.

The Lincoln Riley Case Study

If there’s one coach with job security, it’s Lincoln Riley at USC.

Riley’s buyout is estimated at $90 million, making him virtually unfireable. Why? USC has a history of firing coaches on a whim, and to land a big name like Riley, the school had to offer a massive financial safety net.

And let’s not forget USC’s history:

• Lane Kiffin – Fired at the airport, instantly turning “tarmac” from a noun to a verb.

• John Robinson – Fired via answering machine message.

• Mike Gillespie – Fired after a championship-winning career.

USC needed stability. But at what cost?

The Impact on College Football

Constant coaching turnover is a recipe for disaster. Programs that change coaches frequently often struggle to build sustainable success. Meanwhile, the financial strain of buyouts puts enormous pressure on athletic departments.

What’s the solution?

• Smarter contracts – Stop guaranteeing massive sums upfront.

• Performance-based buyouts – Tie payouts to actual results.

• More patience – Build programs the right way instead of panicking.

The Bottom Line

Right now, FBS programs are spending NFL-level money just to fire coaches.

And buyouts aren’t going anywhere. Coaches use them to secure the runway to build programs the “right way.” Meanwhile, schools will have to decide whether they can keep paying these staggering amounts—or finally change how business is done in college football.

The next time your team loses, and you want the coach “tarmacked” on a whim, think about the financial implications of the buyout. Large buyouts were pivotal in the coaching landscape last season and will continue to be a driver during 2025.

THAT’S A WRAP

Look, here's the truth about college football:

The offseason is where championships are won.

While the rest of the world is watching highlight reels from last season, the real work is happening in weight rooms, film sessions, and coaches' offices across the country. That's where the next generation of stars is being forged, where winning cultures are built, and where legends begin.

And we're going to take you behind the curtain.

In the coming months, we'll dive deep into every conference, team, and coaching staff. We're not just giving you surface-level analysis—we're breaking down each program's DNA. Who's building something special? Who's on borrowed time? Who's about to shock the college football world?

Our preseason Coaches Hot Seat rankings aren't just predictions. They're a roadmap of the transformations happening in college football right now.

This isn't just content. This is your insider's guide to the most crucial period in college football: the months when next season's stories are being written.

Please hit “reply” and tell us your thoughts on this issue. Better yet, let us know which program you believe is quietly building something special this offseason. While everyone else is looking backward, we're looking ahead.

The real season starts now.

Stay tuned. The best is yet to come.