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One of my wishes for 2026, along with peace and love in the world, is that college football gets its act together.
Aside from several very notable exceptions, the sport was often an embarrassment, like a trick play that backfires. What a mess. In the spirit of optimism, however, this column will start with a positive note.
The Joy of Eck
This will be the last time I use clever wordplay when writing about Jason Eck, the New Mexico football coach. (In this case, above, is a reference to a popular 1972 best seller).
Despite an overtime loss in the Rate Bowl, Eck and the Lobos were one of the great success stories of 2025. It wasn’t just the unexpected 9-4 record in Eck’s first season at UNM, it was the exuberance he brought to his job. Indeed, it was joyful.
Pavia publicity
Like Eck, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, an Albuquerque native, was one of the best stories in college football. Certainly among the most interesting.
Sandwiched around Pavia’s brief but spectacular Vanderbilt career were unflattering headlines while competing in high school wrestling and when he desecrated a Lobo logo at UNM while playing for New Mexico State University. There was attention from a lawsuit against the NCAA and a crass social media post after he didn’t win the Heisman Trophy.
On the upside, he recently played a “heel” in a televised WWE event. If the NFL doesn’t work out, pro wrestling might be a good fall back. Seriously.
Sleazy, scummy and scammy
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Those three words above aren’t describing Santa’s newest reindeer, but the overall state of college football.
Yes, NIL and the transfer portal need fine-tuning and more guardrails, but the hiring and firing of coaches tops my naughty list.
The way Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU is example A. I’m not sure which of those “S” words best fit when it comes to all the money that universities and their supporters are paying coaches who are fired, but that cash can certainly be put to better use.
Maybe the LSU Library Foundation could benefit from some of the $54 million given to Brian Kelly or the Penn State scholarship fund might appreciate a pittance of the $49 million windfall James Franklin received?
The (bad) luck of the Irish
I’m mostly a fan of the college football playoffs, which were entertaining and crowned a worthy champion in Indiana, another wonderful storyline. However, scammy might describe the selection process.
That’s particularly true for how Notre Dame was hosed. Admittedly, I’m a Fighting Irish guy, but it seems clear the decision to omit them was vindictive, with the decision-makers out to protect their own conferences.
It was also disappointing to see all the talking heads at ESPN, a partner with the CFP, attack the Irish. True, Notre Dame’s reaction, including sitting out bowl season, was a bit whiny and petty, but the ESPN assault appeared orchestrated.
The (inappropriate name) Bowl
Wouldn’t it have been great marketing for Notre Dame to quickly create their own bowl game and play BYU, another rejected religious institution?
It could have been held at Jerry’s World, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Stage it head-to-head with one of the CFP games and see which has the better television ratings. They could get Farmers Union to sponsor it. Call it the FU Bowl for short.
Can UNM stop the bleeding?
I won’t spend much time on Fernando Lovo since he didn’t spend much time as athletic director at UNM — a whopping 13 months. Before high tailing it to the University of Colorado, Lovo did some really creative and positive things, including hiring Eck and men’s basketball coach Eric Olen.
Besides, Lovo and Lobo were confusing to say in the same sentence. The big question is what can UNM do to stop talent from leaving? Is the university destined to always be a stepping stone, a bit player in college athletics?
Time to pony up?
The state of New Mexico has plenty of needs, so it will be interesting to see if the Legislature approves an initial $50 million to begin renovating University Stadium, home of UNM football. No doubt, the facility is very basic and, some have observed, not particularly fan-friendly.
In its current state, the stadium probably doesn’t have the “pop” to attract casual football fans or top-of-the-line athletes. Still, that’s a lot of money.
