The preseason rankings are out. Fans are already convincing themselves this is their teams’ year. The NCAA continues to be the most inconsistent enterprise in existence, and Penn States White-Out game tradition is now played by the Nittany Lines.
From Penn State to the State Pen
Just days before the college football season kicks off, Penn State found itself in the national headlines for something that had absolutely nothing to do with the Nittany Lions’ depth chart but has redefined the white-out game.
Pennsylvania authorities announced charges against 14 people in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation involving primarily Penn State students and two fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. Thirteen of those charged were current or former Penn State students.
According to authorities, the alleged operation ran primarily during 2023 and 2024, with cocaine reportedly brought into State College from New York and Philadelphia and then distributed primarily to Penn State students. Investigators allege fraternity pledges were even used to cut and package cocaine. I guess that’s one situation where knowing the difference between a gram and a kilogram is very important.
We Are…. Under Investigation
According to prosecutors, investigators allege the operation wasn’t just a couple of college kids making stupid decisions at a party. Authorities described an organized distribution network involving suppliers, cash, payment apps, and cocaine being transported into State College. Talk about Saturday Night Lines!
One alleged dealer reportedly accepted payment through Venmo. If you’re allegedly running a criminal enterprise, perhaps Venmo under your own name isn’t exactly Kingpen level operational security. It’s like they never watched an episode of Narcos.
The White Out Has a Whole New Meaning
Penn State is famous for one of the greatest traditions in college football: the White Out.
More than 100,000 fans pack into Beaver Stadium. Everyone dressed in white. The student section going crazy. One of the loudest atmospheres in sports. But now, the Penn States White Out game has a whole new meaning. Within days, a State College retailer was already selling “Pablo Pledgescobar” shirts inspired by the scandal. Because college football towns can turn literally anything into merchandise. And somehow, this is the perfect ridiculous story to usher in another college football season.
Speaking of Criminals, Hello NCAA
Of course, no college football season would be complete without checking in on America’s favorite dysfunctional governing body: the NCAA.
The NCAA rulebook isn’t really a rulebook anymore. It’s more like the terms and conditions that change daily, yet you still get punished for yesterday’s rules. One school gets hammered. Another gets a strongly worded letter. Another gets probation. Another gets fined. Other schools get nothing.
Basically, the NCAA doesn’t have a rulebook. The NCAA has a Choose Your Own Adventure book. Turn to page 47 if you’re Tennessee- you’re suspended for two games. Turn to page 83 if you’re LSU- Geaux Tigers! And if you’re Penn State this week? Apparently turn to Breaking Bad, Season 6. The wild-wild west of college football continues to remind us that nothing makes sense when the NCAA is involved.
LSU
Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright is planning to return to college football and play for LSU if he clears NFL waivers. According to ESPN, Wright made history as the first player with an agreement to return to the NCAA after signing an NFL contract. He went undrafted in 2026, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Cleveland Browns in August. He plans to reunite with head coach Lane Kiffin at LSU following a recent Louisiana court ruling regarding player eligibility and a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. Shut. The. Front. Door. Signd to NFL teams and can come back to college with no punishment.
Tennessee
But when it comes to the University of Tennessee- punish them every chance you can. Senior linebacker Arion Carter is returning to the Tennessee Volunteers for the 2026 season. He initially declared for the NFL Draft and accepted a $427 flight from an agent, but he later withdrew from the draft and returned to school following a foot injury and subsequent surgery.
Carter withdrew from the draft in January, repaid the agent for the flight in full, and is fully back with the team for his senior year. The corrupt NCAA handed Carter a two-game suspension for accepting the pre-draft travel assistance from an agent, despite the repayment and self-reporting. He is expected to sit out the first two games of the season against Furman and Georgia Tech. Said in another way, it doesn’t matter what the rules are, Tennessee will be punished and other schools will not. Make it make sense!
College football, welcome back!
College football hasn’t even officially gotten started and we’re already off the rails.
There will be plenty of actual football stories soon enough. There will be upsets, questionable targeting calls, coaches on the hot seat, ridiculous rankings, playoff arguments, and countless grown men yelling at kids on Twitter for costing them bets.
But for now, Penn State gets the first unforgettable headline of the 2026 college football season.
You can help keep the posts coming! Donate any amount, I would really appreciate your support! https://alisonstclair.com/donate/