As the NFL season captivates fans across the country, college football isn’t far behind in delivering its share of drama. Rivalry weekend saw intense matchups, jaw-dropping plays, and unfortunately, postgame antics that sparked widespread controversy. Flag planting—once an occasional bold statement—has seemingly become a trend, evoking strong reactions from players, coaches, and even NFL veterans.

Ex-NFL VP Andrew Brandt didn’t hold back on the matter, calling out the practice with a scathing critique. “When did planting the flag become a thing? For winning a football game? You didn’t conquer a country,” Brandt tweeted. His remarks reflect frustration over what many perceive as a growing culture of unsportsmanlike behavior. To him, such actions tarnish the spirit of competition and unnecessarily fuel tensions between teams.

Others have echoed Brandt’s concerns. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, after seeing Florida Gators players attempt to plant a flag on the Seminoles’ logo, stated, “This is the way you operate? That’s fine. But it’s not going to happen here.” Meanwhile, Michigan running back Kalel Mullings slammed Ohio State’s response to Michigan’s flag antics, calling it “classless” and adding, “People have to learn how to lose.”

The incidents spanned several games. Michigan’s post-win flag attempt against Ohio State turned chaotic at Ohio Stadium, while Florida’s celebratory planting at Doak Campbell Stadium triggered confrontations. NC State players tried to mark their victory over UNC but were thwarted by UNC’s JJ Jones, who intercepted their flag before it hit the turf. Even Arizona State joined the trend, creatively planting a trident on Arizona’s logo.

While these gestures might feel like triumphant celebrations, they’ve led to brawls, heated exchanges, and bad blood. What should have been moments of pride for the victors instead resulted in chaos, leaving players, coaches, and fans questioning where the line between rivalry and respect should be drawn.

Flag planting or fueling fights? College football rivalries turn ugly

Rivalry Week in college football didn’t just bring epic games—it brought chaos. The postgame flag-planting frenzy sparked brawls across multiple fields, leaving fans and teams divided over this controversial celebration.

Michigan’s Derrick Moore set the tone by attempting to plant the Wolverines’ flag on Ohio State’s iconic “Block O.” But Buckeyes linebacker Jack Sawyer wasn’t having it, ripping the flag away as a heated scuffle broke out. Players shoved, fell, and scrambled, with Michigan’s Kalel Mullings branding the Buckeyes “classless.” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day defended his team’s reaction, saying, “This is our field… there are prideful guys that weren’t just gonna let that happen.”

Meanwhile, in Gator’s 31-11 win over Florida State, edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. planted a black Gators flag on the Seminoles’ midfield logo, triggering a heated altercation. FSU’s coach Mike Norvell ripped the flag away, later commenting, “They won. Celebrate. But there’s a way to operate.”

Even police had to intervene at Ohio State, using pepper spray to disperse the brawling mobs. Similar incidents unfolded in NC State’s win over UNC and Arizona State’s trident planting against Arizona.

The NCAA and conferences haven’t taken official action yet, but with emotions spilling over into chaos, stricter rules might be the next play to tackle this fiery trend.