Is Mark Ingram’s new CFB gig a signal that he’s retired from NFL?

Mark Ingram is joining FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, pushing Reggie Bush to the side with this move.

Thursday was a very complicated day for New Orleans Saints fans, and those who care deeply about the Heisman Trophy.

Longtime NFL running back Mark Ingram replaced Reggie Bush for one of the five spots on the studio set of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff. The 2009 Heisman winner from Alabama joins Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer, Brady Quinn and Rob Stone as the fearsome five-some for FOX. Ingram finished up his 12th NFL season in his second stint with the team who drafted him out of Alabama in 2011.

Given that Bush is a former Saints star running back and Heisman winner, this is little awkward.

Here is what Ingram had to say upon the biggest day of his professional media career thus far.

"“I’m thrilled to join FOX Sports and Big Noon Kickoff. I can’t wait to feel the energy and excitement every Saturday, alongside some of the most talented and entertaining names in our sport, at the biggest games in college football – I’m ready for the fall!”"

Obviously, there is a lot to unpack here, including the fact Alabama doesn’t play games on FOX…

Mark Ingram gives Reggie Bush the Push when it comes to Big Noon Kickoff

Admittedly, it was always strange that former USC teammates Bush and Leinart were on the same studio show. FOX has broadcasting rights to the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12, but since the popular pre-game show leads into Big Noon Saturday, you are never going to get Pac-12 games in that window. It is usually whatever opponent Michigan or Ohio State plays that is most intriguing.

So adding a former Alabama star to sit alongside a Trojan, a Golden Domer and one of the controversial head coaches of our lifetime is just adding fuel to the fire. The other really interesting part of the release from FOX has to do with Quinn. Not since the end of May has he been part of the morning radio show 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe with his co-hosts LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox.

Overall, FOX has to do something to counterattack ESPN getting Pat McAfee and the boys in their entirety come the fall. McAfee has moved the needle on ESPN’s College GameDay since arriving in Week 2 last year. Although his former co-host David Pollack was part of the late June layoffs, the future of College GameDay is all about the working relationship McAfee has with Kirk Herbstreit.

Ingram may be a fantastic college football analyst, but he better freshen up on the Big Ten fast!