If you ask the vast majority of college basketball and football fans their opinion on the new era in collegiate sports, you’re certain to get more than an earful.

Most fans and observers are up in arms about the new rules — are there really any rules? – when it comes to the money being dished out to so-called student athletes under the guise of name, image and likeness, and if you ask fans about the transfer portal, that’s certain to bring an emotional and negative response as well.

The hope is that some of the transfer portal issues will be resolved in the near future, and it cannot happen soon enough. The NIL predicament is something else entirely; money and greed has taken over, much like society in general nowadays. There may not be any going back when it comes to money being thrown around to players seeking the almighty dollar.

The only argument I can come up with that sees these changes as a positive is that the quality of play in both college basketball and football has reached an all-time high. Many college basketball players are remaining in school – whether or not most attend class is debatable – simply because they can make a pretty good living without the pressure and competition of professional basketball. Premier talent is also spread out across the country more than ever.

We’re witnessing parity in both sports unlike anything we have seen in the past, which seems healthy for both sports. The Southeastern Conference may not agree with that assessment, since it doesn’t dominate college football the way it used to. Be that as it may, the games are more exciting and unpredictable than ever, and to me, that’s a good thing.

There still needs to be more clarification and stricter guidelines, but as we all know, many schools will break whatever rules are adopted. The only thing new about NIL is that payouts made to student athletes are much, much higher than the $100 handshakes done in the past.

Some would argue the money has gotten way out of hand, and it’s difficult to come up with a rebuttal. It simply is the way of the world I suppose, but folks still don’t have to like it or agree with it. Still, it isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, or ever for that matter.

The most egregious waste of money remains the buyouts that coaches get in their contracts, and that needs to be remedied even more that the portal and NIL. It remains beyond my comprehension why universities continue to do this, but apparently a large portion of the money comes from boosters and high dollar donors.

OK, I reckon I’m finished with my little rant; let’s take a quick peek at a few other sports items:

Cats facing huge test in Knoxville

After coming a miraculous win on a buzzer-beater from Malachi Moreno to cap off an unlikely comeback at LSU on Wednesday night, the Kentucky Wildcats need to quickly refocus on a challenging road battle against Tennessee at noon today.

The Cats looked dead in the water in the first half, but steadily got back into the game, led by some outstanding play from Moreno and Otega Oweh. Denzel Aberdeen also had a solid second half, and Collin Chandler gave the Cats a big lift off the bench.

It will take a similar (or even better) effort to leave the “Scruffy City” with a victory. The 24th-ranked Volunteers are coming off an exciting overtime win over Texas A&M, but like Kentucky, their season has had its share of ups and downs. Tennessee is currently 12-5 overall, 2-2 in the SEC, and 10-0 in home games. The Cats are 11-6, also 2-2 in conference play, and 1-2 in road games.

The game looks to be a toss-up, with the Vols getting a slight edge due to their home court advantage. Kentucky is more than capable however, and a positive start would be advisable. The Cats cannot afford to dig too deep of a hole; UT ain’t LSU. Look for Tennessee to try to play their usual physical style, and if Kentucky doesn’t match their physicality, it could be a long afternoon in Knoxville for the Cats.

NFL Divisional Round on tap this weekend

Just eight teams are still standing in the National Football League, and the quartet of matchups to be played Saturday and Sunday should bring plenty of intrigue.

The action kicks off this afternoon when the Buffalo Bills head to the Rocky Mountains to take on the Denver Broncos. The home team is a 1.5-point favorite but the Bills appear to be a determined bunch. The Broncos will be looking to avenge a playoff loss at Buffalo a year ago, and it says here they get it done, 24-20.

The Saturday night game features divisional rivals San Francisco heading up the coast to Seattle. The Seahawks dominated the 49ers two weeks ago in Santa Clara, and it’s difficult to see San Fran having an answer. Seattle may be playing without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, and if that’s the case, I can see the Niners pulling it out. Barring that occurrence, it appears to be the Seahawks 27, 49ers 17.

On Sunday at 3 p.m., the defensive-minded Houston Texans head to Foxborough to meet the New England Patriots. This has the makings of being the game of the weekend. It is also my lone upset pick among the four games; let’s guess Texans 20, Pats 13.

The final divisional clash will pit the Los Angeles Rams venturing to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. Although I’d like to see the Bears come out on top, I’m going with the favored Rams, 27-17.

Hoosiers look to remain unbeaten

The CFP National Championship kicks off Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 7:30 p.m., and the Indiana Hoosiers look ready to make history. IU is hoping to go 15-0 and defeat a tough Hurricanes squad on its home turf, and admittedly this is one time I am pulling for Indiana.

The Hoosiers don’t appear to have any real weaknesses, and their head coach Curt Cignetti will undoubtedly have his team ready and rarin’ to go. Look for Miami to put up a fight, but IU takes the title, pulling away in the second half on their way to a 34-20 victory. I hope so anyway.

Ya gotta have hope

We will delve into the prospects for the 2026 version of the Cincinnati Reds in more detail in the upcoming weeks before the team heads west to Arizona for spring training.

But first, just a brief word or two about the offseason moves, or lack of moves by the front office. It seems indisputable to me that the Reds remain in dire need of a power bat in the everyday lineup, but it doesn’t appear at this juncture that will happen anytime soon.

On the other hand, the club does not look all that far away from contending for the National League Central crown. The key, or keys, is twofold; the core needs to stay relatively healthy, and the pitching staff needs to perform up to some rather lofty expectations. Several moves to bolster the bullpen appear promising, and as any baseball observer knows, that is integral to the success of any team in Major League Baseball these days.

The negativity surrounding the franchise from many longtime Reds fans is understandable to a degree, but as some folks have told me in the past, I choose to remain hopeful and more optimistic than pessimistic about the 2026 season. The lineup isn’t great, but it isn’t awful either, and with what appears to be outstanding pitching, and skipper Terry Francona leading the way, the Reds appear poised for a very good 2026 campaign.

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Some men worship rank, some worship heroes, some worship power, some worship God, and over these ideals they dispute and cannot unite – but they all worship money.” — Mark Twain