All articles tagged with #college football
A push to expand the college football playoff from 12 to 24 teams faces resistance from the SEC, with commissioner Greg Sankey signaling caution while acknowledging potential options. The debate centers on preserving regular-season value, exploring league-based structures or other formats, and balancing power and money among conferences as the sport moves toward a more professional model.
At the SEC’s spring meetings in Destin, Greg Sankey said the playoff format debate remains open with the SEC weighing 16-, 20-, and 24-team models while Big Ten pushes for 24; he emphasized the league’s TV commitments and calendar, expects no CFP decision this week, and highlighted ongoing discussions on NIL enforcement and self-governance.
Tulane University announced the death of Deontavis Cooper, a 2026 graduate of Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, Georgia, who was set to join Tulane’s football program; the university praised his dedication, resilience, and kindness, and said he will forever be a valued member of the Tulane community.
Big Ten leaders universally back a 24-team College Football Playoff, arguing that a larger field boosts the regular season’s value and TV inventory for networks. The real battleground is media rights: FOX wants broader access to create more inventory and a multi-network showcase, while ESPN seeks scarcity to preserve exclusivity and control over the sport’s key postseason window. The debate isn’t about conferences but about who defines value in college football’s future postseason, with ESPN currently holding the primary rights through 2032.},
Former Sam Houston State safety William Davis, 22, died from gunshot wounds to the chest; the manner of death is still being determined by Virginia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Davis, a Virginia native who previously played for West Virginia and Virginia Union before transferring to Sam Houston State, will be honored by the program this season.
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby filed a Texas state suit against the NCAA seeking reinstatement of eligibility for the 2026 season, arguing his long‑running gambling addiction and detailing bets placed in high school and college (including bets on Indiana while he was at Indiana) as not compromising game integrity; he proposes a two‑game suspension and treatment as a path to eligibility, while the NCAA says it enforces integrity rules and has not settled, highlighting a dispute over the reinstatement process and timing.
Notre Dame announced it will add future football games against Stanford and Kent State, expanding the Fighting Irish’s schedule with non-conference opponents.
At a California gathering, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti urged expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, arguing it would make the late season more meaningful, boost scheduling options and nonconference matchups, and broaden access for more programs, even as the economics and impact on conference championships are debated; the SEC remains a key swing vote as talks on the playoff format continue.
Notre Dame announced its 2027-28 football schedule, including a first-time home game against Kent State on Oct. 2, 2027, and the continuation of the Legends Trophy rivalry with Stanford, with ND hosting Stanford on Nov. 27, 2027 and Stanford visiting ND on Oct. 14, 2028 - these will be the 41st and 42nd meetings in the series, with ND leading 25-14-0.
The Athletic reports that major conferences back expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams even though revenue models aren’t settled. ESPN prefers keeping the field at 12–16, while Fox supports wider access to attract more networks; Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti says there’s a deep commitment to 24, not 16. Replacing roughly $200–$250 million in annual conference-championship revenue and offsetting it with on-campus games is a central hurdle, and critics warn increased field size could dilute competition. Bidders beyond ESPN and Fox—potentially TNT/CBS—enter the mix, with comparisons to the March Madness expansion history suggesting the financial and scheduling complexities could temper any push to 24, possibly capping expansion or delaying final decisions.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day says a 24-team College Football Playoff would be great for the sport and could engage more fan bases, but it might not be optimal for Ohio State; the format would have included the Buckeyes in most past seasons, while Oregon coach Dan Lanning sees broad benefits for the sport even if it doesn’t clearly help every program, and seeding complexity could affect strategies at the top.
Brendan Sorsby’s bid for an injunction amid NCAA gambling allegations could allow him to play and preserve his 2026 Texas Tech deal if granted; if denied, the NFL supplemental draft becomes likely. The piece also covers the NFL’s flag football expansion plan, its overseas growth, the new approach to bidding for major events (Super Bowl LXIV and the 2028 draft), EverPass, the Cincinnati Bengals’ OTAs, and a speculative football comparison to Victor Wembanyama.
Ohio State announced Buckeye Stripes are returning in its Scarlet Rush and Sub Zero uniforms, adding metallic silver sleeves across five uniform combinations (including the all-black Tunnel Vision look) and signaling a continued push to refresh branding while honoring tradition; the team will debut the new home kit Sept. 5 vs Ball State, with potential jersey sponsorships and further unveilings planned for the season.
Orlando-area defensive back Charles Woodson Jr. has committed to play for Michigan for the 2027 season, continuing the Woodson family legacy in Ann Arbor.
Ohio State unveiled a 2026 uniform rollout featuring five distinct combinations (Core Home/Core Road, Tunnel Vision, Scarlet Rush, Sub Zero) with updates like a metallic Buckeye Stripe on sleeves, a center Block O collar, and inner jersey festoon details, all built on Nike’s Vapor F.U.S.E. fabric. A new Forge Series turf at Ohio Stadium by Shaw Sports Turf will enhance branding, playability, and safety, with game-week plans for specific uniforms. Leaders Ross Bjork and coach Ryan Day emphasize honoring tradition while advancing performance and stadium branding.