Like many have speculated for the past couple years, college football is transforming itself into a North v. South war. While this war is (for good or for bad) undoubtedly about money and power, it has been amusing to watch the SEC's response to B1G and Big 12 conference realignment. The performative antics from SEC coaches - surely being puppeteered by commissioner Greg Sankey - are on full display right now.
The funniest response has been from Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.
The man who sold his soul for his 2022 recruiting class and left Florida State to chase an enormous bag has opinions, everyone!
Eli Drinkowitz approached the issue with a smarter approach. He applied societal issues that are now gaining steam (mental health) and added it to his rant.
“I thought the transfer window—I thought the portal was closed. Oh, that’s just for the student athletes. The adults in the room get to do whatever they want, apparently,” Drinkwitz said. "We’re talking about a football decision but what about softball and baseball who have to travel cross-country?” Drinkwitz said. “Did we ask about the cost of them?” Do we know what the number one cause of mental health is: it’s lack of rest and sleep.”
In a vacuum, the majority of people would agree and see nothing wrong with his statement... but then you consider WHY he is saying what he is saying, it kind of adds to the performatism of it all. I would consider myself being overly cynical with this quote if it weren't for what seems to be a coordinated response from every SEC coach. The main theme with every SEC coach answer right now is the welfare of the student-athlete.
From Nick Saban:
"They're here to get an education. We try to help them develop careers on and off the field," Saban added. "And hopefully the choices and decisions we make in college athletics in the future will impact them in a positive way. I hope we can keep that as a priority in terms of whatever we decide to do in the future with college football and college athletics."
While I do believe Nick Saban cares about the importance of gaining an education (he does show up to every Alabama graduation), he also has oversigned players for over a decade. Am I supposed to believe you genuinely care about the welfare of the student-athlete when you sign 130 players in a 4 year span? Cutthroat for me, but not for thee.
In my opinion, it is abundantly clear the SEC is using information warfare in a North v. South arms race. The North is no innocent player in this, to be sure. There are ideological differences between North and South football programs, but the bottom line is it always has been and always will be C.R.E.A.M. for the powers that be. I don't see this arms race slowing down any time soon.
