We’ll get to Indiana.

The Rockies and Marlins linked up to send Bradley Blalock from Colorado to Miami in exchange for a low level minor leaguer. Blalock went 2-6 across 14 appearances with Colorado in 2025. He posted a 9.36 ERA in 58.2 innings. Wow. There’s scouting and then there’s this. Watching a guy give up a run per inning and thinking: we can fix him. Miami is run by former Tampa executive Peter Bendix. Bendix falls squarely in the Mega Nerd category of baseball leaders and it’s possible he just wanted to link with new Rockies President (and OG Nerd) Paul Depodesta. Depodesta is most famous as Oakland’s assistant GM to Billy Beane. In exchange for Oakland’s success, Depodesta was portrayed by Jonah Hill in the popular Hollywood film Moneyball. Since Oakland, Depodesta flamed out as head man of the Dodgers before pivoting to run the shit-show that is the Cleveland Browns. He’s back to his roots with Colorado and appears to have found a kindred spirit in Bendix. This isn’t an anti-Nerd outlet. Far from it. Sometimes they just need to be checked for geeking out over a guy with a career ERA north of 8. Of course, if Blalock turns into Greg Maddux, know that you heard his name here first.

That’s a wrap. Coach Cig took the Hoosiers to the damn mountaintop and kicked 100+ years of college football history down to base camp. You will find absolutely no analysis here that hasn’t already been written. You watched it. 2016 Cubs or 2026 Hoosiers. Take your pick.

Coach Cig was quoted as saying that this version of Indiana as National Champion is the final validation of a “new world” in college football. He’s partially correct. Definitely not the old world! But we are far, far from defining what the sport will look like in 2026 and beyond. Let’s start brainstorming what’s yet to be solved:

- 16 team playoffs. Almost guaranteed. Playoff games are so successful that there isn’t a world where execs don’t push for a bigger field and more revenue. Do we need this? Absolutely not. The 12 team playoff did more than enough to crown a true champion. That’s a win! Can’t say that about so many seasons of the past. 2026 could be the first 16 team playoff year, but if it isn’t, believe that it’s coming sooner than later.

- All Young Man Team. Somebody is going to zag from Indiana’s transfer heavy formula. There are high-level teams all but shunning high school seniors. And that ain’t right. Ask these boys to Prom! Expect to see a team of 10-15 5 star recruits at one school with guaranteed playing time, multi-year contracts, and plenty of “BUILDING A PROGRAM” propaganda. As multi-year NIL contracts become more enforceable, one school will determine its money is better spent amassing a high school all-star team.

- Someone will challenge the NFL. I don’t fully understand the mechanics of the anti-monopoly protections both the NCAA and NFL enjoy, but as college players start to become employees, I anticipate someone will take the NFL to court for the right to be drafted before turning 21. Yes, the money is great in college sports. But starting your NFL clock 2 years earlier is financially rewarding enough that a RB or CB will challenge the legal standing of the NFL’s rules. Plus, um, some of these kids aren’t that interested in class….

- Someone will try the reverse. We’re watching it right now in college hoops. Drafted in the NFL, but not crazy about your future team? Go back to school! Dante Moore already spurred the Jets to head back to Oregon for $7m. If college hoops is accepting formerly drafted NBA players back into college, then someone will use that precedent in football. Spare me a Big Brain moment? Will both leagues have to fundamentally re-imagine the Draft? I think so. Watch for this in 2029.

Tip of the iceberg stuff above, and I’m not here to make predictions I can be held accountable for. Just like Stephen A! For now, I’m comfortable knowing I witnessed a sport that served as a perfect container to tell stories of human triumph, leadership, and unrelenting passion. I’m hope Lane Kiffin was watching too.