Rivalry week in college football has always brought the expectation of epic clashes, each worthy of plays that can be etched into a program's, or even the entire sports history.
We know them all for good or for bad - The Kick, the Kick 6, "The Band is on the field!" and "Wide Right I and II" are just a few instances where moments in a rivalry game become immortalized, thanks to all the strong emotions present while playing your arch nemesis.
It's not unusual in such games, with emotions running high, that hostility and intensity meet together at key moments - resulting in a dangerous mix that often leads to trouble...and occasionally brawls.
Don't get me wrong - fighting in football has been around since the game was first played. A quick run through Youtube on a search for college football fights can turn into quite an in-depth and lengthy list.
On Saturday, college football rivalries took a sharp turn. Downward.
There were at least 8 fights around the college football world. Not just little scrums between a pair of linemen who have battled for three quarters at almost a stalemate, or the "chicken fighting" that occurs between wide receivers and defensive backs - massive brawls with players, coaches, administrators and police involved.
The brawls are not all of what has many fans around college football stunned, though they certainly are a top reason. School flags are being planted on an opposing rival's field before or after a game, which has lead to the brawls. Team captains refusing to shake the opposing team's hand, coaches taking barbs at each other for slights in postgame interviews and the recent player/fan or coach/fan disputes we've seen in 2024 have added fuel to the fire or assured it will continue to smolder and re-ignite next year.
Around the nation, the college football media is quick to jump-in with solutions to correct the problem - some citing with the NIL factoring into nearly every aspect of today's game that the NCAA should take the NFL route and fine players for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, or player suspension without pay for multiple games as possibilities.
The problem might get even more out of hand during the postseason, in the upcoming championship week, the bowls and in the playoffs, where your marketability and potential NIL stock can soar....as well as your attractiveness to agents.
Any potential solution needs to be made and quick - and start with the Power 4 conferences. The Power 4 now runs college football now - a quick meeting can take place with an agenda in hand.
By the way and before I depart, allow me to introduce you to the Moron of the Moment: Auburn's Demarcus Riddick.
Here you can see this genius attempt to chase down Jalen Milroe on the corner.
A refresher on what little Einstein said last week leading up to the Iron Bowl about the 'Bama quarterback:
“He is a good quarterback, he’s fast, but he’s not faster than me,” Riddick said. “He will not get out that box this week and that’s something I’m gonna have to work on all week.”
I've been on the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium several times over the years and I'm confident that by the looks of this picture, Jalen is outside of the box...and that he's outrunning Riddick.
His momma must be proud of his outstanding intellect.
Remember to support your local athletes during these winter months!
