Of all the signees without NLIs Mark Richt knows, Roquan Smith is definitely one of them.

Talk about your awkward interviews.

How did Richt feel about Roquan’s decision to not sign an NLI?

“Well, hmmm …” Richt told the AJC on Friday, before pausing for a few seconds.

The UGA coach then deliberated on that question for a little longer.

“I guess it’s new,” Richt said. “But the main thing was that I was happy he signed his scholarship with Georgia.”

Does Richt think Roquan will be a trendsetter for elite prospects in the future?

“Um, I don’t know … It remains to be seen,” he said. This time, it was me who paused for a few seconds to see if he would expand on his answer. Richt didn’t.

He knows.  But he ain’t sayin’.

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If you can’t beat ’em, make ’em join you.

Jason Kirk takes note of something I’m sure is purely coincidental on certain folks’ part.

The ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12 have been kicking around the idea of reviving the ban on first-year players competing in, specifically, college football and men’s basketball. Sure, most pre-1972 rules about broad groups of people being barred from select activities would work great in modern settings. The Big Ten is also reportedly interested in the conversation.

No, this has nothing to do with Kentucky basketball being favored to win its second title in four years thanks to mastering the art of one-and-dones. The fact that the four conferences most interested in the idea are the power conferences Kentucky isn’t a part of? Happenstance. The fact that these four conferences also annually trail the fifth in freshmen who are ready to play college football is another coincidence.

Gives new meaning to the phrase “SEC Speed”, eh?

Sixty-eight commercials.

Just remember, when you hear worries that the average college football game is getting too long, that’s not a concern for the fans.  It’s a concern for the broadcasters.  And they’re the last people who are going to sacrifice.

Beyond their wildest dreams

South Carolina AD Ray Tanner predicts the SEC Network, in its first year of operation, will distribute at least $5 million dollars to each conference school.

To put that in perspective,

… back in 2013 (six years after the launch of the Big Ten Network), Big Ten schools received $7.6 million apiece from the network.

Enjoy those noon starts, SEC fans.  They ain’t going away any time soon.