The NCAA is setting a clever trap. They think they are so smart. They hate Tennessee.

“Hate” may not be the word the NCAA would use (in public). Retribution is probably closer.

Think back in time. Tennessee did not merely challenge the NCAA during the Nico Iamaleava (not a fan) case. Tennessee helped humiliate the organization.

Tennessee did not just win an argument about a mediocre quarterback. It helped knock down an entire category of NCAA enforcement.

Bloviating and bloated organizations remember who makes them look powerless—especially organizations desperately trying to prove they still possess power.

Arion Carter has apparently committed a series of unforgivable offenses against college football and the NCAA.

Let us review Carter’s transgressions.

First, Carter played through a foot injury during the 2025 season while leading Tennessee in tackles (what a dick).

Second, he declared for the NFL Draft and signed with an agent—which is what football players entering the NFL Draft generally do (capitalist).

Third, that agent paid $427.48 for Carter to fly to a pre-draft training facility (lets see this agent’s bona fides).

Fourth, Carter aggravated the injury, learned that he needed surgery and made the entirely reasonable decision to withdraw from the draft and return to Tennessee.

Fifth, he ended his relationship with the agent (smart thinking).

Sixth, he repaid the full $427.48 (good citizen).

Seventh—and this may be the most suspicious act of all—he told the truth about it. Tennessee reported the matter to the NCAA in February.

The NCAA initially suspended Carter for three games. Tennessee appealed and managed to get the sentence reduced to two. Carter will now miss the opener against Furman and the road game against Georgia Tech.

For the NCAA, is this all about payback. Not about the $427. And most critically, it is about Tennessee.

It is also a trap. Not a thirst trap. A real-life trap set for the unwitting and imbeciles of the Big 12 maybe. Not Tennessee though.

The obvious reaction is for Tennessee to tell the NCAA to go to hell and play Carter anyway. In today’s college football economy, schools can distribute millions of dollars directly to athletes. Players can earn legitimate NIL money. Transfers routinely move between programs.

Against that backdrop, suspending a player for two games because an agent temporarily covered a $427 coach-class airline ticket—probably on Spirit, where the seat belt costs extra—is not merely outdated. It is ridiculous.

But Tennessee cannot take the bait. The NCAA will absolutely shit on the Vols perfect season by vacating these obvious wins and hasten a removal from the playoffs.

My advice to Coach: Sit Carter for two games. Beat Furman. Beat Georgia Tech. Preserve the record. Make the playoff. Then unleash Carter on the rest of college football.

The NCAA wants Tennessee angry, reckless and vulnerable. Vulnerable, what a word…

Give the NCAA something worse: Tennessee undefeated.