ATLANTA — A quarterback moving from Tulane to Duke doesn't raise eyebrows. The $8 million that boosters at a basketball school paid for a football player does.
A veteran NFL coach finding a career lifeline at a college program that doesn't win a lot shouldn't surprise anyone. It does feel like a shock that the coach is Pro Football Hall of Fame-bound Bill Belichick.
Transactions nobody ever dreamed of became everyday occurrences this season in college football's trip through the looking glass. Even so, one of the most tumultuous years in history will end with two schools whose traditions are as old as the game itself — Ohio State and Notre Dame — playing for a national championship.
Monday night's final (even that's a fairly novel concept for a sport defined by its bowl games for decades) will mark the latest finish to a season in college football's 155-year history. It's a product of the new 12-team playoff worth billions.
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What comes after the game — with player payments, the transfer portal, tweaks to the playoff, Title IX issues and more — will determine how much wackiness persists next year and beyond.
“It’s a lot to consider, it’s a lot to try to navigate,†said Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman, who is the chair of the NCAA’s Division I policymaking board. “It’s hard, because you have a sense of what’s coming, but you don’t have as much clarity as you’d like.â€
QB's journey tells the story
What better way to illustrate these changing times than by telling the story of quarterback Darian Mensah.
He was a two-star recruit out of California in high school who got scholarship offers from three schools: San Jose State, Lindenwood (in Missouri) and Tulane. He chose Tulane and threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns. He kept the Green Wave in the College Football Playoff conversation through much of the year.
Then, in December, with the transfer portal open and players leaving their schools for better offers in droves, in swooped a third-party collective affiliated with Duke.
A school known for basketball was the landing place for a quarterback who will reportedly receive $8 million — a record, but one that probably will be broken soon.
“It’s a prestigious university, and a great education is also important to me,†Mensah said. “It’s just a family out here. I wanted to be part of that.â€
That Duke family, never considered the cradle of quarterbacks, has nonetheless lost two starters to the portal in two years. One of them is Riley Leonard, who will start Monday in the final for Notre Dame.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard throws a pass during first half of a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State on Jan. 9 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
College looks like the pros
Perhaps an even bigger head-scratcher had to do not with a player but rather a coach.
Why would Bill Belichick, an out-of-work 72-year-old and owner six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, give up on returning to the NFL to run a college program with scant tradition and coming off a soap opera-y firing of its coach, Mack Brown?
Well, Belichick's dad coached there in the 1950s. And in his introductory news conference, Belichick insisted he’d always wanted to coach college ball. More enlightening was what he told Pat McAfee while the negotiations were ongoing: That college football was starting to look very much like the pros.
“It would be a professional program — training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques — that would transfer to the NFL,†Belichick said.
Some things stay the same
All these players moving. All this budding talent showing up at places never known for football. It seems like any school can go from nothing into a college football powerhouse now, right?
Well, maybe not so fast. Even though the Southeastern Conference, which had won six of the last nine national titles, didn’t fare as well this year, Ohio State (five titles) and Notre Dame (11) are hardly new to this.
Some of the teams in the newly expanded playoff were not regulars — see Boise State, Indiana and Arizona State. But by the time the field had whittled to four, it was four traditional programs with national followings left standing: Penn State, Texas, the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish.
“Everything is about recruitment and development and, now, retention,†said Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, reflecting on what it takes to stay at the top. “Every year you’ve got to start over now in college football. It’s not quite the NFL, but it’s getting close.â€
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard celebrates after winning a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas on Jan. 10 in Arlington, Texas.
Madness, uncertainty to come
Among the questions that don’t have answers yet:
—The transfer portal: Most coaches detest the December window for players to transfer. It was set up with the school calendar in mind — if education matters, then players should have time to enroll for the spring semester at their new school — but also promotes players leaving before their seasons are over.
“At some point we need to look at our whole system so we can avoid circumstances like that because that was not fair to anybody involved,†said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who was hardly an outlier after losing more than a dozen players to the portal.
—Roster limits: The soon-to-be-adopted 105-player limit for football means schools can give 20 more scholarships, but this ultimately will cut the number of total roster spots, a few dozen of which go to walk-ons. The same will happen on a smaller scale to all sports across athletic programs.
—Player payments and Title IX: Under terms of the House settlement that is reshaping college sports, schools were pivoting toward paying players directly for their name, image and likeness (NIL) beginning next year. Then came Thursday’s memo from the Department of Education that those payments had to be treated the same as financial assistance. That means if schools spend most of the $20.5 million they’re allowed on male athletes, they’ll be in violation of Title IX.
“We’ve been building plans on top of plans for some time now,†said Whitman, the AD at Illinois. “And this is the most recent example of where we’re going to take the guidance under advisement and figure out what, if any, changes we have to make to the strategies we’ve developed.â€
—Future of the playoff: Oh, the games. Generally, the rollout of the 12-team playoff has been viewed as a success, though tweaks in the way teams are seeded feel necessary. But it would take a unanimous vote of the 11-person board of the College Football Playoff, which meets Sunday, to make an adjustment.
Coaches: game will never be the same
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz says the confusion over the House settlement, combined with constant threats about lawsuits and a dispersed array of decision-makers — the NCAA, conference commissioners, athletic directors — makes the entire industry hard to understand.
“I worry that the game that I love and have dedicated 30 something years of my life to is slowly getting taken away from us,†he said.
But at the core, all these changes are coming against the backdrop of something that felt long overdue: Players have a right to make money for the product they produce. That product is placing record amounts of money into school coffers, even if all of it is creating chaos.
“I’m an optimist. I think we’re moving in the right direction,†Ferentz said. “I think the proposed model right now is solid. The question is, can we enforce it, really make it a reality? I’ll believe that when I see it.â€
Is college worth it? Debunking myths on costs, time, value, and more
Is college worth it? Debunking myths on costs, time, value, and more
Reading the news today, you might wonder if earning a college degree is still worth the investment. With stories of declining enrollment, rising student debt, and the growing success of high-profile entrepreneurs who skipped college altogether, it's no surprise many are questioning the value of a degree. Yet, despite these concerns, college remains a smart choice for most people. In this article, separates fact from fiction—debunking myths, exploring affordable pathways, and showing how college may still be a valuable investment in your future.
Myth 1: College Is Always Expensive and Leads to Insurmountable Debt
Fact:
While traditional four-year colleges can come with a hefty price tag, there are numerous strategies to manage and reduce higher education costs.
Community colleges, also known as two-year colleges, offer a cost-effective start with the potential to transfer credits to a four-year institution. The at a community college is approximately $3,990 per year, compared to roughly $11,000 per academic year for an in-state public four-year institution and approximately $42,000 for a private non-profit four-year college.
A wealth of scholarships and grants are also available to help offset costs, and they don't need to be repaid. To take full advantage of these, remember to fill out the FAFSA to see what government aid you may be eligible for.
Myth 2: College Is Too Large of a Time Commitment for Working Adults
Fact:
It's true that working adults would likely find it challenging to complete a traditional, full-time, on-campus college program while also managing job and family responsibilities. The good news is that many higher education programs now cater specifically to working adults, offering flexible and streamlined paths to a degree.
Online education has revolutionized learning by offering the flexibility to attend classes and study outside of conventional weekday hours. For instance, many online programs provide asynchronous learning, enabling students to earn at their own pace and on their own schedule. Additionally, with year-round enrollment options, working adults can start and progress through their programs whenever it best suits them. This flexibility makes college a realistic and achievable goal for those balancing work, family, and education.
Myth 3: A College Degree Is Unnecessary for a Well-Paying Job
Fact:
While some careers, like trades, , and certain tech roles can offer success without a degree, the broader data shows a clear advantage for degree holders. According to a 2023 U.S Career Institute Study, high school graduates, on average, earn about $38,000 annually in comparison to those without a diploma, who average $28,000. But the earning potential rises with further education, where associate degrees bring around $46,100 annually and bachelor's degree holders average $59,600, which is more than double the earnings compared to those not holding a degree. And this income gap tends to increase with career progression.
College degrees not only help attain higher initial salaries, but they also open doors to long-term career growth. In fact, many employers prioritize candidates with a degree for leadership roles and career advancement opportunities. The chance to move up the ladder or switch to a more lucrative field becomes much easier with a degree in hand.
Myth 4: It's Too Late to Start College When You're Older
Fact:
Higher education is not just for the young. Today, many students are returning to college at different stages of life. According to , in fall of 2021, about 6.4 million students aged 25 and older were enrolled in an undergraduate program in the U.S.
If you have work or family responsibilities, flexible learning options make it easier than ever to balance your education with other commitments. With online college courses, you can study on your own terms, fitting education around your schedules rather than the other way around.
Even if you missed starting college earlier due to financial constraints, responsibilities, or other reasons, it's never too late. Wherever you are in life, earning a degree can open doors to career advancement, promotions, or learning new skills. Plus, your life experience gives you a unique perspective, allowing a deeper understanding of course material and making your learning journey even more rewarding.
Myth 5: College Education Does Not Justify the Cost
Fact:
It's true that the cost of a college education can seem daunting. The average total cost of attendance for first-time, full-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students at a public university in the 2022-20233 school year is $27,146, including cost of living on campus, according to the . Given this sizable figure, it's easy to see why some might question whether a college degree is worth the investment.
However, when we compare the cost of a degree to the earnings potential, the return on investment becomes clear. The , meaning that, in many cases, degree holders can earn up to 100 times the cost of their degree.
Moreover, the value of a college education extends well beyond its immediate costs. Students gain access to a wealth of resources, networking opportunities, and mentorship that can pave the way for future success. These opportunities, combined with the long-term financial benefits, make investing in higher education truly a worthwhile endeavor.
was produced by and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
