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Defector

College Baseball

College Basketball

College Football

College Gymnastics

College Hockey

College Softball

College Wrestling

Death To The NCAA

Israel Daramola

The college football playoff logo on an ESPN camera.

We Finally Have Our College Football Playoff

Justin Ellis

Actor Timothee Chalamet answers questions on a press tour.

This Is So Stupid

SHOCKER: This Handsome Actor Is In Fact A Ball-Knower

Michigan Wolverines defensive back Rod Moore (9) walks on the field holding a Michigan flag with his teammates after the game against the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 30, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH.

The Games Will Always Matter


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

UConn And UMass Created And Abandoned College Football’s Goofiest Rivalry Trophy

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 30: A detail view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy is shown prior to the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

Funbag

You Are Not Prepared For How Cool The 12-Team Playoff Will Be


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Michigan Wolverines players fly a flag prior to a brawl between players from both teams following a 13-10 Michigan win against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

Police Pepper Spray Players During Michigan-Ohio State Postgame Fight

Color print of late Victorian marketing for bathroom and sanitary equipment. It's for Twyford’s Improved Independent Canopy Bath combining plunge, shower, and spray. There is also a Cabinet Bath Enclosure that looks like a coffin (and also a cabinet, I guess)

Showering After A Loss Is Just Too Self-Indulgent

David Roth

Fans throw trash onto the field during the college football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns on October 19, 2024, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

College Football Is In A Golden Age Of Throwing Garbage

Quietly, Deion’s Colorado Is Getting There

Lauren Theisen

Boise State wide receiver Jerard Rabb dives into the end zone

Risk Week

Boise State Will Always Be The Greatest Underdogs

What’s Going On With Bama?

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Leland Smith #12 of the Purdue Boilermakers secures an onside kick late in the second half as Collin Dixon #17 of the Illinois Fighting Illini defends at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois.

How To Recover An Onside Kick

Vanderbilt Commodores fans march the goal posts around the field following a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Alabama Crimson Tide, October 5, 2024 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Vandy Took Down Bama, And The Goalposts, Too

Ray Ratto

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) rushes the ball as Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4) defends during the college football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide on September 28, 2024, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.

The Best College Football Game Of The Year Has Happened

UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka (3) scrambles with the ball past Kansas defensive end Dylan Wudke (95) during the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the UNLV Rebels on Friday September 13, 2024 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Matthew Sluka Debacle Exposes The NIL System For What It Is

Darold DeNgohe and Khairi Manns of the James Madison Dukes react after recovering a turnover against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of the game on September 21, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. James Madison would win 70-50.

The Dukes Ran The Tar Heels Out Of Their Own Building

University of Colorado students swarm the field and surround football player Yahya Attia after the Buffaloes overtime win against the Baylor Bears, 38-31.

Colorado’s Never Boring, That’s For Sure

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

LOGAN, UT - SEPTEMBER 14: Caleb Lohner #84 of the Utah Utes catches a touchdown pass over JD Drew #3 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game at Maverik Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Logan, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Football Will Live Or Die With Its Rivalries

Fans gather for the Vol Walk prior to kickoff between the Tennessee Volunteers and Kent State Golden Flashes

Tennessee’s “Talent Fee” For Tickets Is The First Domino

Buster the Boise State Broncos mascot cheers against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium

The Pac-12’s Raid On The Mountain West Is Only The Beginning

Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles reacts to a play during the first half of a game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. You can tell from the reaction that the Noles would go on to lose.

Podcasts

How Not To Make It In College Football, With Israel Daramola

Samer Kalaf

Northern Illinois Huskies players celebrate after an upset win over Notre Dame.

Notre Dame Fast-Tracks Humiliating Part Of Season With Loss To Northern Illinois

Head coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles reacts to a play during the first half of a game against the Boston College Eagles

Florida State Stinks Up The Joint

A view of the The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the 2024 CFP National Championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Michigan Wolverines won 34-13.

A Guide To CFB’s Power Conference Realignment

Former NFL player and Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders looks on prior to a game between the Arlington Renegades and Birmingham Stallions at Choctaw Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.