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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Culture Writer

Israel Daramola

Miami Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (3) intercepts a FSU pass to the end zone in overtime to end the game during a college football game between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles on October 17, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

College Football

It Took A Lot Of Underachieving To Get Miami At No. 1

Lauren Theisen

BYU fans watch with anticipation on the last play of the game to see an incomplete pass from Notre Dame

What’s The Point Of All These Reviews?

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: A detailed view of the National Championship trophy prior to a game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&amp;T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

Death To The NCAA

The CFP Is Expanding For The Same Reason The PCSA Is Gaining Momentum

Ray Ratto

Mike Elko of the Texas A&amp;M Aggies prepare to lead his team onto the field before an SEC football game between the Texas A&amp;M Aggies and Missouri Tigers on Oct 10, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO.

Do Not Rage At Your Most Online Fans

‘Saban’ Has Nothing To Say About Its Subject Or The World He Helped Create

Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Heath Ozaeta #77 wears the Golden Hat and does Horns Down after winning the Allstate Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners on October 10, 2026, at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, TX.

OU-Texas Is The Last Truly Bonkers College Football Rivalry

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 19: Alabama Crimson Tide players pose with fans after beating the Florida State Seminoles 50-36 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

We Now Know For Sure That We Know Nothing For Certain

College Baseball

College Basketball

College Gymnastics

College Hockey

College Softball

College Wrestling

Tom Ley

Ted Cruz speaks at a press conference about the PCSA

Interviews

An Antitrust Expert Makes The Comprehensive Case Against The Protect College Sports Act

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 19:  Running back Jadan Baugh #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates with team after a win over the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare stadium on September 19, 2026 in Auburn, Alabama.

It’s Time To Separate The Real Teams From The Clowns

Austin Romaine #15 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Sam Houston Bearkats at Galaxy Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Lubbock, Texas.

Austin Romaine Will Always Have Saturday

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 19: Chance Robinson #82 of the NC State Wolfpack reacts after a last second loss against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Let’s Make These Games As Stupid As Possible

The Protect College Sports Act Reveals The Dark Heart Of Management

<a href="https://josh-levin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://josh-levin.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2tqysV4T7Gh0gV7M0_bz7p">Josh Levin</a> is the creator and host of the sports history podcast “<a href="http://www.replaybooth.show/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.replaybooth.show&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1-rpGWGr1dKP0HBTa_zohZ">Replay Booth</a>.” He’s also the author of <a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/josh-levin/the-queen/9780316513272//?lens=little-brown" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/josh-levin/the-queen/9780316513272//?lens%3Dlittle-brown&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw357vGVOyJU7dDVIkjqFQxu">The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth</a>, the creator of the podcast “<a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/one-year/s6/1990" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://slate.com/podcasts/one-year/s6/1990&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1LJrco6Xq1YK3vAueOtmRC">One Year</a>,” the host of two seasons of “Slow Burn” (on <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s4/david-duke" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s4/david-duke&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PiV8w71WaqaTvzDwNTrOS">David Duke</a> and <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s10/rise-of-fox-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s10/rise-of-fox-news&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LTehX3p4ZiFY9vhna8azk">Fox News</a>), and the former cohost of “Hang Up and Listen.”

Josh Levin

Drawing of a fake-injured football player preparing to take part in a trick play.

How One Trick Play Tells The History Of Football

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Members of the Vanderbilt Commodores football team react after a last second fumble return in the endzone won the game against NC State, 35-31

NC State Innovates Brand-New Endgame Choking Strategy

ESPN's College GameDay show on the quad at LSU, with Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Lainey Wilson, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, and Pat McAfee

This Is So Fucking Embarrassing

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 5: Lane Kiffin of the LSU Tigers walks down victory hill prior to a game against the Clemson Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 5, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lane Kiffin And ESPN Are Both Shilling For Their Agendas

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

Diana Moskovitz

Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels look on prior to a game against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on October 31, 2025 in Syracuse, New York.

Steve Belichick Is Gone From UNC

Media Meltdowns

Arch Manning, Room Full Of Dipshits, Snicker About AI Video Of Steve Sarkisian Slapping Holly Rowe

US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during the second day of the Republican National Committee midterm convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on September 10, 2026. US Republicans are betting that putting President Donald Trump at the center of their campaign can rescue a party facing grim election forecasts, despite the president's negative approval ratings. A day earlier, on the first day of the midterm convention, he promised $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress in November. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP)

The Protect College Sports Act Finally Has Its Suitably Off-Putting Mascot

LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 11: Anthony Favrow #31 of the Missouri Tigers carries a Kansas Jayhawks drum on his shoulder after a college football game between the Missouri Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks on Sep 11, 2026 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)

College Football Means Finding Something To Get Mad About

Markell Dabney of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after winning a college football game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 13-12 on a last second "Hail Mary" touchdown reception.