Agent Confidential

The Agent Confidential Top 20 continues.

At #15: Oklahoma.

There’s nothing new-money about the Sooners.

Seven national championships. Seven Heisman winners. One of the most recognizable brands in college football.

Now Oklahoma has moved into the SEC neighborhood, where everybody seems to have money, expectations — and a few trophies of their own.

The administration and donor base have made the investment, and there’s no shortage of resources in Norman.

Boomer Sooner has arrived in the SEC — and Oklahoma is investing to make sure everybody knows they belong.

This isn't a prediction of who finishes in the Top 20. It's my ranking of the 20 programs best positioned in the BUSINESS of college football.

Tomorrow: #14. 👀

The Agent Confidential Top 20 continues.

At #15: Oklahoma.

There’s nothing new-money about the Sooners.

Seven national championships. Seven Heisman winners. One of the most recognizable brands in college football.

Now Oklahoma has moved into the SEC neighborhood, where everybody seems to have money, expectations — and a few trophies of their own.

The administration and donor base have made the investment, and there’s no shortage of resources in Norman.

Boomer Sooner has arrived in the SEC — and Oklahoma is investing to make sure everybody knows they belong.

This isn't a prediction of who finishes in the Top 20. It's my ranking of the 20 programs best positioned in the BUSINESS of college football.

Tomorrow: #14. 👀

#Oklahoma #BoomerSooner #Sooners #CollegeFootball #AgentConfidential #CFB

Oklahoma's new deal with Brent Venables averages roughly $10.5 million annually over six years.

That's the headline.

But on Contract Confidential, I'm interested in what happens when Oklahoma doesn't want its coach anymore.

We dig into the guarantee, mitigation and offset provisions in Venables' existing contract , and why they're so different from the famous Jimbo Fisher deal at Texas A&M.

Plus: if I were sitting on Venables' side of the negotiating table, there's one provision I'd be trying to change.

Welcome to Contract Confidential.

The Agent Confidential Top 20 continues.

At #16: Indiana.

Last year’s darling became the poster child for just how quickly the business of college football can change.

Indiana went from the outhouse to the penthouse. Curt Cignetti brought the swagger, and the school and its donor base responded by making a major commitment to football.

For a place long known as a basketball school, Bloomington is starting to feel a little like the Bobby Knight days — except this time, it’s football.

This isn't a prediction of who finishes in the Top 20. It's my ranking of the 20 programs best positioned in the BUSINESS of college football.

Tomorrow: #15. 👀

#Indiana #Hoosiers #IUFB #CollegeFootball #AgentConfidential #CFB

The Agent Confidential Top 20 continues.

At #17: Tennessee.

Business is booming on Rocky Top.

Tennessee has the brand, the fan base, the SEC money and one of the most intimidating home-field environments in college football.

Josh Heupel has brought the wins back, while Tennessee has invested aggressively in NIL, facilities and a roster built to compete in the SEC.

Neyland is rocking again, the checkerboards are full of talent, and Rocky Top once again expects to compete with anybody.

This isn't a prediction of who finishes in the Top 20. It's my ranking of the 20 programs best positioned in the BUSINESS of college football.

Tomorrow: #16. 👀
#Tennessee #Vols #RockyTop #CollegeFootball #AgentConfidential #CFB

The Agent Confidential Top 20 continues.

At #17: Tennessee.

Business is booming on Rocky Top.

Tennessee has the brand, the fan base, the SEC money and one of the most intimidating home-field environments in college football.

Josh Heupel has brought the wins back, while Tennessee has invested aggressively in NIL, facilities and a roster built to compete in the SEC.

Neyland is rocking again, the checkerboards are full of talent, and Rocky Top once again expects to compete with anybody.

This isn't a prediction of who finishes in the Top 20. It's my ranking of the 20 programs best positioned in the BUSINESS of college football.

Tomorrow: #16. 👀

#Tennessee #Vols #RockyTop #CollegeFootball #AgentConfidential #CFB

The Agent Confidential Top 20 continues.

At #18: Nebraska.

Few programs demonstrate the power of a brand better than Nebraska.

The wins haven’t always been there, but the money, fan support and expectations never left. Memorial Stadium still becomes a Sea of Red, and Nebraska continues to invest like a national power.

Now Matt Rhule has given Husker Nation reason to believe the football may finally be catching up with the investment.

The Sea of Red is still very much in business.

This isn't a prediction of who finishes in the Top 20. It's my ranking of the 20 programs best positioned in the BUSINESS of college football.

Tomorrow: #17. 👀

#Nebraska #GBR #Huskers #CollegeFootball #AgentConfidential #CFB

The Agent Confidential Top 20 continues.

At #19: Ole Miss.

The Rebels have invested aggressively in NIL and the roster, Lane Kiffin has made Oxford a destination, and expectations have changed dramatically.

The Grove may still be the best party in college football — but Ole Miss is investing like it expects to be playing for something after the party is over.

This isn't a prediction of who finishes in the Top 20.

It's my ranking of the 20 programs best positioned in the BUSINESS of college football — money, NIL, investment, institutional power and expectations.

20 days. 20 programs. 20 reveals.

Tomorrow: #18. 👀

20 days. 20 programs.

I’m counting down my Top 20 College Football Programs from the BUSINESS side of the sport — money, NIL, investment, institutional power and expectations.

We start at #20: Auburn.

There’s money. There’s commitment. There’s YellaWood. And at Auburn, there are ALWAYS expectations.

Tomorrow: #19.

Why are jersey patches and new sponsorship opportunities suddenly becoming such a big part of college athletics?

Follow the money.

I joined Kip Keefer and the GameTime crew on WJOX in Birmingham to discuss the growing annual revenue gap between the Big Ten/SEC and the ACC/Big 12 and why that financial pressure will push athletic departments to find entirely new sources of revenue.

Jersey patches are what fans will see. The bigger story is that schools are increasingly looking at everything they own as potential inventory.

We also have some fun with the latest Buyout Island Index and who might be headed to the island next.