Will We See College Football Players Bail On This Season Already?

Most college football teams have only played three games, but there are two teams that may see some players take the rest of the year off. UCLA, who is a recent addition of the Big Ten, and Virginia Tech from the ACC fired their coaches on Sunday after each team dropped their third straight loss to start the season.  

Former NFL running back DeShaun Foster was relieved of his duties after going 5-10 through a full season and three games. The Bruins were blasted again on Friday 35-10 to New Mexico.  

Brent Pry was let go in Blacksburg Virginia after another dismal performance to a team from a lesser conference, as Old Dominion from the Sunbelt spanked the Hokies 45-26, and at one point led the game 28-0. Pry was in his fourth season and went 16-24. 

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I was a little surprised at Fosters firing since he was beloved in Bruin's history and a member of the hall of fame there. The firing could have more to do with the financial woes of the athletic department which have been said to be underperforming to the tune of more than $200 million the last six years of so.  

That’s not a recipe for success in the Big Ten where the gap between the top three for four teams and everybody else is staggering.  

Pry’s seat was hot when the year started and losing at home isn’t tolerated by Hokies faithful, and there’s been way too much of that there recently.  

Fans and boosters are happier now that the firings have taken place, but the schools may have just done a service to some of their players as well. Since the teams only played 3 games, that is one game below the number a player can play and still redshirt. Meaning, some players can redshirt, and the time they played this season will not count as a full season while they start looking to find another team for next season.  

There are some other teams that are borderline having to make the same decisions next week if they don’t win or play well, and they will be in the same boat with potentially having players opt out and start looking for a place to transfer to after the season. 

Stay tuned, there will be a lot more of this coming soon most likely.