As he is wont to do, Bret Bielema stirred a little controversy on National Signing Day about 2 months ago, when he made some comments about Ole Miss and Florida’s recruiting successes. He later backtracked, claiming that the comments were meant as compliments to their classes. However, with the release of information that allegedly shows star Ole Miss player Laremy Tunsil asking for and receiving money, maybe we should revisit Bielema’s comments.

Looking back to the comments made by Bret Bielema about the things that Florida and Ole Miss are doing in recruiting that “shocks you a little bit”, it was understandable at the time why Bielema was so frustrated. The Hogs just had a kid decommit from them and decide to go to Florida, despite having not visiting the campus and having just committed to Arkansas 3 days prior.

I would definitely say that was a “shocking” moment for Bret and the program. It was about as shocking as Ole Miss pulling in yet another top 10 class. The comments made by Bielema echoed the feelings of football fans from all over the country. It was indeed surprising and shocking what these programs were doing with their recruiting.

Bielema would later back track the comments, saying that he was paying a compliment to the coaches at those schools for the jobs well done, and that people were just looking for a reason to be mad at him. And when you go back and watch the video of his comments now, they can definitely seem as innocuous as Bielema claims they were.

However, with the sudden and very public comments and screenshots that involve Laremy Tunsil have come out, maybe it’s time that we go back and revisit these comments made by Bielema. The most surprising thing about the news that more alleged proof of rule-breaking by Ole Miss had come out was the lack of surprise by pretty much…..everyone.

If Bielema’s comments two months ago were so absurd and harsh, then why hasn’t this news that Ole Miss allegedly was breaking the rules been a huge bombshell that shatters everyone’s reality?

You and I both know why. It’s because we know that there is an element of college football that isn’t supposed to see the sunshine. It’s a beast that we, as fans, like to pretend doesn’t exist. At least not in OUR program.

Never mind that every single college football player has $10,000 in tattoo sleeves and all have their own cars. Most programs try to keep that beast hidden, and the best way to keep it hidden is to not let it out of the basement, or to only use it sparingly.

The problem for Ole Miss is that they had that creature out and about in the damn daytime for the last few years, and people were starting to take notice. But just like Bigfoot, you’re not supposed to talk about it unless you have some proof. So Bielema gets reemed for saying what we all already knew, and has to backtrack. Two months later, his words look prophetic. But he’s not Bertstrodamus.

He just has eyes.