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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

Israel Daramola

Ray Ratto

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.

College Football

Cheating Is A College Football Feature, Not A Bug

Samer Kalaf

Football coach Lane Kiffin in Ole Miss gear.

Our Long National Nightmare Is Over: Lane Kiffin Has Picked A Job

Louisiana State Tigers head coach Brian Kelly yells to an official during a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Louisiana State Tigers, October 18, 2025.

There Is No One To Cheer For In The Case Of Brian Kelly v. LSU

Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers at the media day before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game on April 3, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.

College Basketball

Bruce Pearl Always Knew What He Could Get Away With

Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is sacked by Cameron Brandt #91 of the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2024.

College Football Brings People Together, But Then What?

Burying The SEC Feels Too Good To Be Wrong

Maitreyi Anantharaman

South Carolina and LSU players fight at the end of the SEC Tournament championship game.

Who In The LSU-South Carolina Scuffle Was Ready To Scrap?

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: SEC Comissioner Greg Sankey looks on before the college football SEC Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on December 2, 2023 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)

Florida State Never Had A Chance

Custom painted Pac-12 University of Colorado Buffaloes football on display at Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas on July 21, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In Realignment, It’s Survival Of The Fattest

David Roth

Michigan quarterback John Navarre, seen here getting ready to do something dull.

Podcasts

The Bigger Big Ten And The Soul Of A Michigan Man, With Ben Mathis-Lilley

<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 - OCTOBER 12: A general view of play between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

A Bigger SEC Is Better Football

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: DeMarvion Overshown #0 and D'Shawn Jamison #5 of the Texas Longhorns react after a turnover in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 29, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

There’s Room In The Future For A Big Fat SEC And Not Much Else

Nick Saban, not wearing a mask, yells at a referee

The Mask Stops Working When You Take It Off

Barry Petchesky

during the first half against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Athens, Georgia.

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