In just about ten days, Eli Drinkwitz‘s Missouri will put the finishing touches on its 2025 roster. Because from April 16 to 25, the transfer portal swings back open, and Mizzou is watching closely. But don’t expect a frenzy. The Tigers are playing it cool. However, their strategy this time? React, don’t reach. Unless a surprise departure pops up, they’ll fill gaps as needed and stick to their steady, measured approach.

Basically, Missouri isn’t hitting the ‘PANIC’ button this spring. Coach Eli Drinkwitz made it clear on April 8, stating, “I think we have a very cohesive football team. So unless there’s a huge surprise, which I haven’t seen so far, I don’t anticipate that we have to go get this position or that position.” Translation? Mizzou is sticking to its script. Rather than making a splash in the transfer portal, the Tigers are focused on balance. Drinkwitz hinted at a simple strategy—one out, one in. If a player leaves, they’ll bring in someone to match. You can say, no major overhauls, just smart, and calculated moves.

Eli Drinkwitz may have a clear vision for Mizzou’s portal strategy, but his bold “Fix CFB For America” demand is stirring up more than just roster chatter. During the That SEC Football podcast on April 17, analysts SEC Mike and Cousin Shane weighed in on the statement. Mike said, “Fix it for America. I mean, I love that message, Shane, but I think it’s—I think it’s fallen on deaf ears right now.” Shane agreed, adding, “You know what? Yeah, absolutely. It always is. But, I mean, he’s not wrong. I mean, aren’t we tired of it? Aren’t we just tired—as a fan, aren’t you just—” So, the message may be powerful, but it seems to be getting lost in the noise.

However, Cousin Shane didn’t stop there. He continued, “Well, I didn’t get my—If that’s what it feels like—I didn’t get my way. You know, we—we got kids. People on here got kids. I didn’t get—I’m taking my ball and I’m going home. I’m telling on you. You know, it’s what it feels like. Bunch of tattletales out there.” Then he went on, stating, “And—I get it. We want to make this better for the kids, you know. But then again, there’s a fine line. You don’t want to destroy an organization.” So, Shane’s frustration echoed the concerns many fans and analysts have been feeling, caught between progress and tradition in college football.

Here, Shane brought up the Nico Iamaleava’s situation, emphasizing the impact of players’ decisions on fans. “Say what you want about the Nico situation—it could have been any quarterback out there,” explained Shane. Adding, “If he would have pulled that stunt in the playoffs, could you imagine? For some people, that was their Christmas, man… They put everything they had into seeing that game… An opportunity for their family.” Moreover, Shane stated, “It’s like, you’re a kid, but you don’t understand—there’s livelihoods on the line. We talk about this 24/7. We love SEC football. We love college football. But damn, let’s not forget what you’re doing it for America… You’re doing it for the fans that make the system work. They’re the ones that keep the wheels on this thing.”

Simply put, Mike and Shane made a powerful point about the fans’ role in CFB. Here, Mike said, “Without the fans, nobody’s getting paid. All the money’s—TV’s only paying because the fans care. They’re the ones tuning in.” Shane agreed, adding, “Yeah.” Mike then warned, saying, “If they keep pushing and pushing the fans, I hope it never gets to that point, but if they keep going in that direction, eventually, it’ll get there.” So, the message was clear: fans are the heartbeat of the game.

While SEC analysts took a stance on changing CFB and its impact on fans, Eli Drinkwitz voiced frustration over the ongoing uncertainty in the sport’s evolving landscape. “I spent a ton of time trying to figure out the new revenue share system and how we divide the money, and what to do for NIL,” he said. Adding, “Then yesterday, the judge says we may grandfather in roster limits. I don’t know what’s going on, and it’s wasting a lot of mental energy.” Drinkwitz also expressed frustration over the constant shifts, saying, “We told our guys in December what we thought the framework would be, and now if they go back to grandfathering it in, it’s like uh it’s just frustrating. Let the practitioners have a say in what we’re doing.”

So, Eli Drinkwitz made it clear: College football needs stability. “We’ll adapt. We’ll find a way. We’ll figure it out,” he said. But his bigger message was about the future of the game. “College athletics is a worthwhile fabric of the culture of the United States of America—not just football, not just basketball, but also the Olympic sports. They all matter,” said Eli. And that’s why he called for a governing structure that avoids constant legal battles: “We can’t have a lawsuit every single day that dramatically shifts the rules. So we need to have some sort of protection so that we can move forward with a great game.” So, his demand? A fix for college football—one that moves the game forward without the chaos.

Eli Drinkwitz on CFB’s changing landscape

It all started from the transfer portal. The “105 transfer portal” concept proposes a roster limit of 105 players per CFB team to better regulate scholarships and ensure fairness. Eli Drinkwitz voiced frustration over the shifting landscape, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding roster limits and NIL rules. Although he’s been working to understand the new revenue share system, constant changes are draining mental energy. Coach Eli calls for clarity and more input from those directly involved in the sport. His concerns highlight the challenges coaches face in managing rosters amid the transfer portal’s impact. Because the situation remains in flux, leaving teams uncertain about how to proceed.

Here, Drinkwitz made a passionate plea for clarity in college football’s future. “Please, please, please, whoever’s in charge—I don’t know who’s in charge—can we get some structure in place?” urged Eli. His frustration was clear: constant lawsuits and rule changes are draining the sport. He emphasized the need for stability to keep offering scholarships, education, and, most importantly, the joy CFB brings to fans across the nation.

So, Eli’s call for order reflects the growing concern over CFB’s chaotic landscape. While Eli made a serious demand, SEC analysts suggest that the demand may fade as CFB continues to evolve day by day. It seems like change is the only constant, and those who can adapt will remain.