Big 12 Notes

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Big 12 Notes – Postseason

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February 27th 

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SEC/Big Ten: Pooling media rights bad for the sport (read: we don’t want parity)

From ESPN … A study commissioned by the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten concluded that allowing conferences to pool their media rights — a key proposal among some looking to solve money problems in college sports — would generate less revenue than if the leagues continue the decades-old practice of selling their own games.

The idea of pooling media rights has been touted by some lawmakers and sports leaders as the best way to supercharge revenue and ensure college sports remains solvent in a new, more expensive era brought on by name, image and likeness (NIL) payments to college players.

The study, a copy of which was shared Thursday with The Associated Press, estimated that at the rate leagues such as the SEC, Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 are increasing the value of their media rights, they would outperform one much-cited projection that said schools could add $7 billion in worth over the next decade or so by pooling the rights.

“The … proposal not only fails to produce more revenue than the current conference structure but also introduces a dangerously unworkable model and new risks to the college sports landscape,” the paper said.

The $7 billion projection is the brainchild of Cody Campbell, the billionaire head of the board of regents at Texas Tech, who established a nonprofit called Saving College Sports, which is the focal point of the paper’s analysis.

Both Campbell and a Democrat-backed bill in the Senate, called the SAFE Act, have proposed rewriting the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act, which bars the conferences from combining their TV rights.

Campbell responded to the release of the study on social media, calling college sports “broken, and those who first made the mess and profit handsomely from the status quo do not want to fix it.”

Campbell has acknowledged that the unspooling of TV contracts that have varying expiration dates between the league and broadcasters would take years. The SCS proposes creating an independent entity charged with maximizing revenue, with options to sign on to what could be a reworked Sports Broadcasting Act within 12 years.

In his post, Campbell criticized SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, who called for the study.

“The posture of these two commissioners indicates that they do not care about the fate of the other conferences or smaller schools, nor do they care about the life-changing opportunity provided to women and to athletes in our Olympic sports,” Campbell said.

Sankey and Petitti hired the FTI Consulting Firm, which said the basis of its review was “certain … information provided to it as well as publicly available information.” The paper pokes holes in virtually all of Campbell’s assumptions, including the idea that college sports could replicate NBA and NFL revenues by pooling their games.

The study said the NBA’s recent $6.9 billion-a-year deal spread across a number of national networks and streamers “reflect a number of market dynamics and are not simply the result of ‘aggregation.'”

“Instead, the NBA was successful in selling smaller packages of games to larger numbers of distributors thereby increasing market demand and adding additional media partners for smaller packages,” the report said.

The relatively small number of NBA (30) and NFL (32) teams compared to the 136 that would be part of a college pool (if every school agreed to participate) makes those deals more manageable, according to FTI.

… Continue reading story here …

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February 26th

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Cincinnati sues former QB Brendan Sorsby for breach of contract in signing with Texas Tech

From CBS Sports … The University of Cincinnati is suing former quarterback Brendan Sorsby for breach of contract and is seeking a $1 million buyout after his transfer to Texas Tech this offseason, according to court documents obtained by The Athletic. Cincinnati claims Sorsby broke a revenue-sharing agreement with the school and owes the university money under the conditions of the deal.

Per The Athletic, the lawsuit claims Sorsby signed an “18-month, two-season” agreement with Cincinnati that ran through Dec. 15, 2026, with a $1 million buyout due within 30 days if Sorsby “transferred to another university before completion of the agreement’s full term.”

Sorsby signed with Texas Tech in January on one of college football’s most lucrative portal deals — reportedly worth more than $4 million. Ranked as a five-star transfer and the No. 2 overall player in the portal by 247Sports, Sorsby threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns with seven scores on the ground in 2025, his second season as the starter for the Bearcats.

Coming off its first College Football Playoff appearance in program history after winning the Big 12, Texas Tech made Sorsby a priority on the transfer market following the exit of Behren Morton. Texas Tech celebrated the signing of Sorsby with advertisements posted in New York City. Texas Tech posted a welcome message on Times Square’s famous digital billboards to flex the gem of its portal haul.

“We’re fired up about Sorsby,” Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire said in an interview with WFAA last month. “Lake Dallas kid. He’s back home in Texas. I think he’s an elite quarterback. He’ll play on Sundays, and he’s going to be a great leader for us.”

… Continue reading story here …

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February 25th 

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CBS list of potential Playoff newcomers includes … Oklahoma State (?) 

… Let’s set aside for the moment that Oklahoma State is basically starting over with a few stars from North Texas and about five dozen other guys. This is a program which has won exactly one game since 2023. For Oklahoma State to get into the Playoff, you have to figure the Cowboys have to go at least 10-2. Assuming losses to Oregon and Texas Tech, OSU would have to run the table against the rest of its schedule. Not seeing it, CBS … 

From CBS Sports … We have revenue sharing and the transfer portal to thanks for college football’s injection of parity at the top of the sport, and there’s no expectation that will change during the 2026 season.

In last season’s CFP bracket, there were six first-time playoff teams — James Madison, Miami, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Tulane — in a race that came down to high drama ahead of the selection committee’s final reveal.

A couple of those programs are expected back in 2026, but if you’re looking for potential Cinderellas as first-time playoff entries, those who enhanced their respective rosters this offseason or made critical coaching changes is a good place to start.

Taking a closer look at six programs outside of college football’s way-too-early top 10, don’t be surprised if there are a few of these teams grabbing headlines early with momentum that could sustain throughout the campaign.

Oklahoma State

2026 schedule: at Tulsa, Oregon, Murray State, at West Virginia, UCF, at Houston, Colorado, at Iowa State, at Kansas State, Texas Tech, at Arizona State, Kansas

What to like: Curt Cignetti’s brilliance over the his first two seasons at Indiana set the standard for premium resurgence in the playoff era and the Cowboys hope they’ve found their own diamond in the rough with coach Eric Morris. A winner at North Texas, Morris has utilized a considerable boost in resources to sign a top-10 transfer class at Oklahoma State, spearheaded by many of his best players from his former program including quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins. Oklahoma State has 53 total transfers who will make up much of the two-deep, which should completely erase any semblance to last season’s 1-11 face plant under Mike Gundy.

Determining factors: A 66-point loss at Oregon last season was an embarrassment for the program, an indictment on the previous staff and the gap between Oklahoma State and one of the nation’s elite. Can that change with a collection of players who didn’t feel that sting and a staff coming off an 11-win campaign elsewhere? Perhaps. The Cowboys host the Ducks in Week 2. Oklahoma State’s playoff hopes, however, ultimately fall on what happens in the Big 12 and how quickly this group can come together and execute. The first barometer game for Morris and the Cowboys comes at West Virginia on Sept. 26. If they lose that conference opener, getting to bowl eligibility then becomes the goal.

… Read full story here …

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Texas, LSU, Texas Tech among biggest spenders as rosters top $40 million

From On3Sports … The one-time winter transfer portal window has officially closed, and college football programs are beginning to shift their focus to spring ball. But with revenue sharing now in place, more money was spent on retention and acquisition in January than ever before.

“We’re going to have multiple rosters over $40 million in college football this season,” one Power Four general manager told On3.

On3 spoke with 14 Power Four general managers and NIL personnel staffers to go inside the transfer portal: which programs spent the most, who retained talent at the highest level, which players landed the biggest deals and how the bidding wars took shape. Sources were given anonymity to speak freely about the transfer portal.

The top spenders

Of the 14 Power Four general managers and staffers that On3 spoke with, 10 mentioned LSU as the top spender in the transfer portal. In their first transfer portal with new head coach Lane Kiffin, the Tigers ranked No. 2 in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Rankings.

Multiple general managers believe that LSU has the highest payroll in the sport entering the 2026 season, exceeding $40 million. The Tigers landed quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and EDGE Princewill Umanmielen, ultimately bringing in 40 new players via the transfer portal.

“They got the most expensive roster in the sport,” one SEC general manager told On3.

“They’re definitely at least $40 million,” a Big 12 general manager added.

Texas, Texas Tech and Miami were the most frequently mentioned other top spenders. This is another portal cycle where the Red Raiders were big spenders after their push a year ago.

“Texas Tech just knows they can outspend you,” a Big Ten general manager said.

Other schools mentioned included Notre Dame, Ohio State and Indiana. An ACC NIL operator stated that Wisconsin consistently won bidding wars.

“I don’t know if they spent the most, but certainly Wisconsin surprised some people,” the ACC source said. “They told at least four or five kids we were involved with that, ‘Just give us a chance, we will be your highest number.”

… Continue reading story here …

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February 24th

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Big 12 Transfer Portal Class Grades: The Athletic gives CU a “B”

From The Athletic … Five Big 12 schools made The Athletic’s ranking of the top 25 transfer portal classes.

No one was shocked to see Texas Tech in the top five. The Big 12 champions maintained their aggressive offseason approach and were once again among the sport’s biggest spenders.

The surprise? How about the Oklahoma State Cowboys, who finished 1-11 last season and immediately made major moves to fix things in Stillwater with new coach Eric Morris.

Arizona State, Colorado and Houston also made the top 25. How did everyone else do? Here’s a look at how every team in the league fared during the portal window.

Note: All portal player and snap count data is from Pro Football Focus and includes only snaps played at their offensive or defensive positions (not on special teams). Players and snaps added or lost are via the portal only (numbers do not include players lost due to exhausted eligibility or draft declarations).

Colorado

• 2025 record: 3-9
• Portal players added/lost: 43/36
• Career snaps added/lost: 29,649/22,182
• Top players added: WR DeAndre Moore Jr. (Texas), WR Danny Scudero (San Jose State), OT Taj White (Rutgers), LB Liona Lefau (Texas), S Boo Carter (Tennessee)

Since arriving in December 2022, coach Deion Sanders has brought in over 170 transfers while signing an average of 16.5 high school or junior college recruits per cycle. There was no change in philosophy this offseason. Seven starters left via the portal, and another 13 exhausted their eligibility. Only four starters — all on offense — returned after a frustrating season. Sanders restocked the roster with 16 starters from other FBS programs, including five from Power 4 schools. Colorado’s crop of 12 new defensive linemen is led by Santana Hopper from Tulane. The offensive line is in transition once again, with five new additions who were starters a year ago. It’s anyone’s guess how all the new pieces mesh. But Moore and Scudero should be highly productive players in a Colorado offense that has never been fully committed to running the ball in Sanders’ tenure.

Grade: B

… Read full story here …

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February 23rd

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Coaches: 70% of “Street Agents” not working in the best interests of their athletes

From ESPN … As cash has flooded college and high school athletic recruiting through NIL deals and direct payments from schools, the coaches and other observers say they see a growing need to regulate the middlemen who carve out a profit by putting themselves between the money and the athlete.

So-called “street agents,” who typically aren’t certified agents or even attorneys, recruit players around the edges of the game and promise to represent them in pursuit of college scholarships or deals for their name, image and likeness.

Street agents existed under the table in the pre-NIL era, but their prevalence, and the dollar amounts involved, have grown exponentially in the new college sports era, according to coaches and sports administrators interviewed by ESPN.

“I think it’s almost at a crisis, to be honest,” said Joe Martin, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association. “We’ve got situations where we … have the street agents moving kids from place to place and representing them, that are charging them a lot more money than they should be charging them.”

Coaches say high school athletes are more at risk of being exploited than college athletes because they lack the support and structure of a university compliance office, and they are sometimes the only student at their school weighing an offer, with no points of comparison.

Unlike in professional leagues, where agents are certified by the players’ unions, agents negotiating deals at the high school and college level do not have to register with a national governing body.

“So many of our student-athletes have agents that help them with NIL that aren’t really agents,” South Carolina head football coach Shane Beamer told a congressional committee last March. “Some are being taken advantage of.”

Because of the largely informal nature of the arrangements and the lack of regulation, it’s hard to say how many street agents exist. But in a December survey of 1,000 college athletes, 18% said that someone helped them with NIL deals while they were in high school.

… Among the coaches whose athletes had been approached by agents, 70% said that they did not believe the agents were acting in the athlete’s best interest.

“There are some people that are in this industry that are doing the right thing,” said Tim Prukop, co-founder of Eccker Sports Group, which provides athletes and their families with NIL guidance. “But for every one of those, there’s 10 that are out there just trying to make a buck the fastest that they can on anybody that they can.”

Coaches described agents who jeopardized offers the athletes already had received or were not qualified to advise on such decisions. One football coach wrote that an all-state running back switched high schools because of an agent, lost out on playing time and “went from having college interest to nothing.”

“They don’t know enough to act in the athlete’s interest,” wrote a different coach. Another noted, “All these ‘agents’ are a money grab for themselves.”

… Read full story here …

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February 20th 

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Coach Prime one of two Big 12 Coaches “under the most pressure in 2026”

From CBS Sports … Coming out of an unusually busy coaching carousel that included more than two dozen changes across the FBS, several head coaches enter the 2026 season under heightened pressure and will be judged strictly on results.

The revenue-sharing era has accelerated expectations for quick improvement as College Football Playoff expansion and Indiana-like parity have created win-now demands across Power Four athletic departments.

There has rarely been more urgency for coaches to generate momentum, and the window to do so continues to shrink. LSU recently dismissed a coach who won 71% of his games and produced multiple top-15 finishes in three seasons, but that résumé was not enough.

These 10 coaches face mounting pressure this offseason.

6. Dave Aranda, Baylor

Buyout after 2026 season: $9 million (estimated)

There’s a new sheriff coming to Waco in the form of athletic director Doug McNamee, who has spent the first couple months on the job assessing what needs to change within the football program. Aranda led the Bears to a Big 12 title in 2021, but three losing recrods in the last four years has him on the league’s hottest seat. With important early matchups against Auburn (in Atlanta), Colorado and Arizona State, getting off to a positive start is vital.

10. Deion Sanders, Colorado

Buyout after 2026 season: $26.6 million

Coach Prime has instituted new team-wide rules ahead of the 2026 season in hopes of cleaning up his program a bit. His first year without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter was ugly and many of his best players jumped into the transfer portal after the season, including former five-star offensive tackle signee Jordan Seaton. Colorado faces a budget deficit and new athletic director Fernando Lovo aims to fix it over the next several years. Sanders could do his part by putting together a competitive team.

… Read full story here …

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February 18th

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Arizona State drops home-and-home series with Texas and Florida; adds Stanford

From FBSchedules.com … The Texas Longhorns have canceled their future home-and-home football series with the Arizona State Sun Devils, according to a report from Chris Karpman of SunDevilSource.com.

The two schools were slated to open the two-game series in Tempe, Ariz., on Sept. 11, 2032 at Mountain America Stadium. The return trip to Austin, Texas, was scheduled for Sept. 10, 2033 at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.

Per the report, the cancelation of yet another series involving an SEC program stems from the SEC’s move to a nine‑game conference schedule beginning in 2026. The Big 12 has operated under a nine‑game format since 2011, following the departures of Nebraska and Colorado

News of the cancellation broke shortly after Arizona State announced a new home-and-home series with Stanford for the 2031 and 2032 seasons. The Sun Devils were previously scheduled to visit the Florida Gators in 2031, but that series was reported to be canceled last summer.

Despite the expanded league slates, both the SEC and Big 12 still require members to play at least one Power conference opponent outside of league play. Texas does not have another Power opponent scheduled for 2032 and 2033.

The move continues a plethora of nonconference cancellations across college football. Last week, Mississippi State canceled its future series with Texas Tech, while NC State and South Carolina mutually canceled their future home‑and‑home. Last month, it was revealed that Arizona State and Virginia Tech had canceled their 2034-35 series. NC State has also seen future matchups with Florida (2026, 2032) and Georgia (2033-34) removed from the schedule.

Other high‑profile series scrapped over the past year include Cal-BYU, Georgia-Louisville, Miami-South Carolina, Alabama-West Virginia, Nebraska-Tennessee, Ole Miss-BYU, Ole Miss-USC, and Cal-Florida

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February 17th

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CBS Sports: Which Power Four Teams will bounce back with a bowl bid?

From CBS Sports … Bowl games aren’t nearly as important as they once were, but they remain a measuring stick in college football. We’ve begun to see some fall by the wayside as teams have joined the ranks of NFL-bound players and opted out of playing in the games, but the fact of the matter is, missing out on a bowl because you didn’t win enough games is a little embarrassing.

Perhaps you aren’t proud of that invite to the LA Bowl (RIP), but you aren’t ashamed of it, either.

Last year, 24 Power Four programs failed to reach bowl eligibility. Here, in mid-February, more than six months from the start of the 2026 season, it felt like a good time as any to take a look at those teams and their outlook on avoiding a repeat embarrassment in 2026. It’s harder than ever to know how a program will progress from year to year now that we’ve seen so many one-offseason makeovers through the transfer portal, but after long hours of deep reflection, I broke our 24 contestants down into five separate categories. We’ll start with the bad news and work our way to the good.

Not Optimistic 

Colorado … The Coach Prime experience has been a rollercoaster ride. After all the hype ahead of 2023, the Buffs laid an egg, going 4-8. They followed it up with a 9-4 record and a Heisman Trophy thanks to Travis Hunter, but life after Hunter and Shedeur Sanders wasn’t nearly as friendly, as the Buffs fell back to 3-9.

As is always the case, Deion Sanders and staff were active in the portal in an effort to reverse their fortunes. The problem is, like Boston College, Colorado is playing two nonconference games against Power Four opponents (Georgia Tech and Northwestern), and both are on the road. In conference play, the Buffs get both Texas Tech and Utah, though at least those games are in Boulder. It’s difficult to predict how the Big 12 will shake out, but overall, the Buffs don’t have many games against teams that finished in the bottom half of the league last season.

Really Need To Win This Coin Flip …

Baylor … These are all programs that weren’t far from bowl eligibility in 2025 and could easily level up to get that sixth win, but the problem for their coaches is that simply reaching a bowl game might not be enough to see 2027.

I mean, frankly, I’m shocked Dave Aranda is back for 2026! We all had this man on one of the hottest seats in the country entering 2025, and he held onto his gig despite going 5-7. The biggest problem Baylor faces is a schedule does few favors. The Bears draw both BYU and Texas Tech, as well as an out-of-league game against Auburn.

Not only will this team need to improve, but it will also have to avoid every possible banana peel.

Kansas … Staying in the Big 12, the Kansas Jayhawks are coming off consecutive disappointing seasons. We were all throwing flowers at the feet of Lance Leipold following a 9-4 mark in 2023, but the ‘Hawks are 10-14 over the last two seasons and only 7-11 in the Big 12.

This season’s schedule is not impossible, but it’s not simple, either. There’s the Border War against Mizzou, and while Kansas avoids Texas Tech, it must play Utah and BYU. It also gets Arizona State, but at least that’s a home game. Five of their nine Big 12 games are not.

In Play, But Not Necessary

Oklahoma State … Get ready to hear a lot of people tell you Oklahoma State is “the next Indiana” because Eric Morris has come from North Texas and brought the whole dang team with him, but I’m tempering my expectations a little.

It’s not impossible, but considering how bad this team was last year, six wins feels like a significant step forward, particularly when one of your nonconference games is Oregon. Still, in Big 12 play, you avoid BYU and Utah while getting Texas Tech at home.

You do still have to play five of your Big 12 games on the road, though.

UCF … Scott Frost’s UCF return started with a 5-7 season as the Knights were simply uncompetitive outside The Bounce House. Well, seven of your games are at home this season, including five in conference play! And you don’t have to play Texas Tech or Utah anywhere, and you get BYU at home! Furthermore, none of your road games — against Houston, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Colorado — feel impossible.

Genuinely Optimistic

West Virginia … Yep! I am optimistic about West Virginia!

It’s not just that I think Rich Rodriguez is an underrated coach (he is), and that this team is more talented than many realize (it is), it’s also the schedule. Three home nonconference games against Coastal Carolina, UT Martin and Virginia are winnable.

The Mountaineers also get five Big 12 games at home, giving them eight home games on the season. They won’t leave Morgantown until October. Road games against TCU, Texas Tech and Utah won’t be fun, but Oklahoma State, Arizona, Cincinnati, Kansas and Houston all have to come to Milan Puskar Stadium. This team is going bowling.

… Read full story here …

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February 16th

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Composite Way Too Early Top 25 Rankings: Ohio State No. 1

From The Sporting News … Ohio State is No. 1 in a composite Way-Too-Early Top 25 made up of 10 college football publications. Sporting News released its Way Too Early Top 25 for 2026, but we also looked at other sites to see how their rankings looked. That list includes Athlon, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Yahoo Sports and On3.com.

Composite top 25 preseason college football rankings

A look at a composite Way Too Early Top 25 college football ranking across 10 major websites. Here is each school with the total points scored and their high and low ranking:

Others receiving votes: Virginia Tech 13, Boise State 8, Clemson 8, Florida 7, Illinois 7, TCU 6, South Carolina 5, Florida State 4, Arizona State 3, Vanderbilt 1, Memphis 1, Virginia 1, Arizona 1

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February 15th 

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BYU’s leading receiver, Parker Kingston, no longer with the team after rape charge

From ESPN … Brigham Young said Friday that standout wide receiver Parker Kingston is no longer a student at the Utah private school after he was arrested this week on a first-degree felony rape charge.

Kingston, 21, made his initial court appearance Friday in St. George, where prosecutors say a woman who was 20 years old at the time told officers that Kingston assaulted her at her home last February. He was arrested following a yearlong investigation in which detectives collected digital and forensic evidence and interviewed witnesses, Washington County Attorney Jerry Jaeger said.

“I found by clear and convincing evidence that Mr. Kingston was a danger to the community,” Judge John Walton said during the hearing.

BYU spokesperson Jon McBride said the administration and coaches were only made aware of the investigation and allegations against Kingston after his arrest this week. He declined to answer whether Kingston was kicked out or left the school voluntarily.

Other top athletes, including Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff, have opted to leave BYU when faced with lengthy suspensions for violating the honor code.

Kingston was BYU’s leading receiver last season.

… Read full story here …

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February 13th 

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Big Ten releases proposal for a 24-team College Football Playoff

From ESPN … The Big Ten is circulating an internal document that lays out what a 24-team College Football Playoff would look like, including the elimination of conference championship games, a 23+1 selection model and an additional weekend of on-campus CFP home games.

With the College Football Playoff format remaining at 12 for the 2026 season, the drumbeat of potential CFP change will inevitably echo through the coming season. The document, obtained by ESPN, includes other interesting details, such as the committee being tasked with not having any rematches in the first round.

The sides of the potential expansion issue were drawn clear in recent weeks. The SEC was willing to go to a 16-team format, and the Big Ten was willing to grow to 16 only with an agreement to eventually go to 24 teams. Those two leagues essentially control the CFP decision-making, hence the stalemate.

The Big Ten internal document details what the conference has termed a “24 team CFP Format Compromise.” Sources told ESPN it has been distributed to the league’s athletic directors and a working group of head coaches.

While the document presents nothing formal or official in terms of the future of the College Football Playoff, it does begin to unpack the vision of the 24-team format.

The idea has increased in conversation among coaches and athletic directors in the Power 4 leagues, as the coaches acknowledge a playoff-or-bust pressure and athletic directors want more postseason opportunities to justify rapidly increasing roster expenses.

The internal document begins by offering a potential timeline desired by the Big Ten, which wants the format to grow to a 16-team playoff for 2027 and 2028. The document indicates a move to 24 for “no later than the 2029 season,” which would then run through the end of the current CFP contract, which goes through 2031. From there, there would be a new television contract and further flexibility to change.

In the proposed 16-team format, there would be five automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large teams, an idea that has been widely discussed. The top two teams would get byes, and the opening games — No. 16 vs. No. 13 and No. 14 vs. No. 15 — would be played on the second weekend in December, likely slotting around the annual Army vs. Navy game.

There would be six second-round games on campus and four quarterfinals at traditional bowl locations on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. That would be followed by semifinal games at bowl sites and the national title game, which would be played around mid-January.

The 24-team format would consist of the 23 best teams and one spot for the Group of 6. There would be no automatic qualifiers, which had been a point of emphasis for the Big Ten in CFP discussions last year. If the field grows to 24, sources have indicated that automatic qualifiers would matter less to the Big Ten.

… Continue reading story here …

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February 12th

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Production v. Potential: A shift away from four-stars to players with years of experience? 

From Stewart Mandel at The Athletic …

Are we overemphasizing production and experience when looking at roster constructions for next season? Indiana loading up on experienced players seemed more like them exploiting a market inefficiency than a paradigm shift. It has been odd to me seeing Alabama criticized for focusing too much on recruiting blue-chip players instead of going all in on older, experienced transfers, a strategy that has won 24 of the past 25 national titles. — AJ M.

Possibly, but that trend did not start with Indiana, which had 17 starters who were in at least their fourth year in school.

Though the 2023 Michigan and 2024 Ohio State squads weren’t teeming with sixth-year seniors, they both had around 15 senior starters and very few newcomers in key roles. Looking back at their portal classes going into those seasons, Michigan added three offensive linemen (Drake Nugent, LaDarius Henderson and Myles Hinton) who were entering at least their fourth college season, and Ohio State notably landed fifth-year quarterback Will Howard and two-year Ole Miss standout running back Quinshon Judkins. Plus Caleb Downs.

So, the emphasis on building an older roster is not without evidence. Indiana just felt like a more extreme example because of having so many fifth- and sixth-year players.

That’s not to say that no coach in America should ever have a young team. If the goal is to build continuity in your program, it might make sense to bring in portal guys with multiple years of eligibility left. High school players and less-experienced college players are also cheaper than most proven P4 players and high-end G6/FCS players. Alabama presumably spent much less on its No. 2-ranked high school class than LSU did on its star-studded No. 1 transfer class.

But Alabama’s youth movement does not seem entirely intentional. Kalen DeBoer tried to get some proven high-end players such as Auburn receiver Cam Coleman and NC State running back Hollywood Smothers (who initially committed). Texas outspent the Tide on both. DeBoer did land some big bodies that a lot of schools wanted, such as offensive lineman Jayvin James (Mississippi State) and defensive linemen Terrance Green (Oregon) and Devan Thompkins (USC). But it’s a class composed of more potential than productivity. Hence, Alabama did not crack Sam Khan Jr.’s top 25 portal classes.

The Tide barely made the top 20 in my early-season top 25, largely because it will be such a youngish team. But it’s entirely possible I’m underestimating them and they’ll make a deep Playoff run. If they do, it will be much more like those Nick Saban/Kirby Smart title teams, which were so talented that age didn’t particularly matter.

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February 11th

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Big 12 to use full LED video sports floor at Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments

From the Big 12 … The Big 12 Conference and ASB GlassFloor today introduced a state-of-the-art full LED video sports floor that will debut at the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments this March at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The Tournaments will mark the first time ASB GlassFloor’s LED court technology will be used for official competition in the United States, representing a significant milestone in the modernization of college athletics. Beyond its use at the Big 12 Basketball Tournaments, this initiative reflects a shared vision to advance innovation in sports, exploring new ways to enhance competition, fan engagement, and the overall game-day experience.

ASB’s GlassFloor is a next-generation, high-performance sports floor that meets the standards of modern hardwood courts. Integrated LED technology beneath the playing surface unlocks dynamic, interactive digital graphics and capabilities impossible on traditional courts. Vetted at the highest levels and used during events at NBA All Star 2024, as well as in EuroLeague professional games and FIBA-sanctioned competitions, the digital court enhances the fan experience both in-arena and on broadcast. It enables real-time branding, in-game activations, and data-driven visuals that seamlessly adapt across basketball and other sports without compromising performance, durability, or student-athlete safety.

“Our goal at the Big 12 is simple: keep raising the bar,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “Elevating our league’s profile and adding real value to our programs requires a willingness to push boundaries. Last year, the introduction of the XII pattern on our tournament court did exactly that, and this year we’re taking the next step with ASB GlassFloor. This technology represents the future and bringing it to our basketball tournaments reinforces our commitment to innovation, positioning the Big 12 as a different league and national leader in elevating the game.”

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February 10th

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Shocking! Nebraska becomes the second school investigated by College Sports Commission for NIL violations

From msn.com … Athletes at the University of Nebraska are among those the College Sports Commission recently opened NIL investigations into, Front Office Sports has learned.

In January, the College Sports Commission informed Nebraska  that it had launched an inquiry into Huskers athletes, specifically regarding whether they had failed to report NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals into the NIL Go system, according to an email thread between CSC and athletic department officials obtained by FOS. 

The College Sports Commission, which was created to enforce the rules of the House v. NCAA settlement, has said that it has launched several inquiries into potential rules violations related to unreported NIL deals. The rules now require that all Division I athletes submit all NIL deals above $600 for scrutiny and approval through a software called NIL Go. CSC employees and external lawyers then review the deals to ensure they represent fair market value for a valid business purpose, rather than pay-for-play in disguise.

On Jan. 15, CSC head of investigations Katie Medearis emailed Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen, notifying him that “the College Sports Commission is investigating whether members of one of your institution’s sports teams failed to report one or more third-party Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in accordance with applicable rules.” The email then requested that Dannen and a member of his compliance team schedule a brief phone call with members of the CSC.

Two weeks later, on Jan. 29, Nebraska’s senior associate athletic director for compliance Patty Peterson wrote to CSC officials that two athletes—whose names were redacted—had submitted additional details into NIL Go. “There was confusion by both student-athletes about the exact timing of certain deals and/or payments received for those deals and whether they triggered post-House settlement disclosure requirements,” Peterson wrote, adding that an unnamed athlete “is working on submitting one more deal as soon as [redacted] can track down the contract.”

After confirming that the players had, in fact, submitted “numerous additional deals to NIL Go,” CSC senior investigator Shawn Vorndran asked whether players had another deal with a company that was also redacted. Huskers associate athletic director for administration, Jonathan Bateman, confirmed the deals existed and had been submitted.

… Continue reading story here …

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“Retired” Montana coach Bobby Hauck accepts position as Illinois defensive coordinator

… Note … I understand this story is a big national headline, but this is a funny story, what with Hauck tearfully leaving the Grizzlies less than a week ago. The story is getting plenty of humorous play here in Montana State land … 

From ESPN … Illinois hired Bobby Hauck as its new defensive coordinator Monday, ending his brief retirement.

Hauck, 61, comes to Champaign after guiding Montana to six FCS playoff appearances in the past eight seasons and a semifinal appearance in 2025. Last week, he retired, citing a changing sport that had become less appealing as a head coach.

“I just haven’t been enjoying it enough,” said Hauck, who went 151-43 in two stints at Montana, winning eight Big Sky championships and reaching the national title game three times. “I want to enjoy my career and my job. A lot of the head coach stuff in current day, Division I college football is not enjoyable.”

Illinois hired Hauck to replace Aaron Henry, who recently left to become Notre Dame’s defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator. Hauck last coached in the FBS with San Diego State from 2015 to 2017 as special teams coordinator.

He led UNLV from 2010 to 2014, going 15-49.

… Continue reading story …

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February 8th

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North Dakota State to join the Mountain West, starting this fall

From CBS Sports … North Dakota State has reached a deal to enter the Mountain West as a football-only member starting next fall, a source tells CBS Sports. The FCS program will pay the NCAA $5 million to transition to FBS and is expected to pay an entry fee over $10 million to the Mountain West.

The move marks one of the most significant FCS-to-FBS transitions in recent history. North Dakota State has won 10 national championships since 2011, including its most recent title in 2024. They are 9-5 all-time against FBS opponents, with five wins over power conference programs.

The program has publicly signaled its desire to move to the FBS level in recent months under athletic director Matt Larsen and outgoing university president David Cook, who is set to become president at Iowa State University on March 1. Cook’s final day at North Dakota State is Sunday, a notable final act for the school president.

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February 7th 

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SEC distributes over $1 billion to its 16 members; up $200 million from previous year

From ESPN … The Southeastern Conference is distributing more than $1 billion to its 16 universities for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which ended last August.

The total distribution jumped more than $200 million from the previous year. The current total includes $37.4 million retained by universities that participated in the College Football Playoff and bowl games.

The amount distributed from the conference office, including bowl revenue retained by participants, averaged $72.4 million for schools with full year financial participation. Oklahoma and Texas, which joined the conference in July 2024, received distributions of $2.6 million and $12.1 million, respectively, related to CFP and bowl participation and designated NCAA funds.

The $72.4 million average per school is approximately $18.6 million above the 2023-24 average of $53.8 million for full members.

The payout for the 14 schools receiving a full share is comprised of revenue generated from television agreements, postseason bowls, the CFP, the SEC title game, the SEC men’s basketball tournament and NCAA championships.

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February 6th

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Mike MacIntyre hired as defensive coordinator at Oregon State

From osubeavers.com … Mike MacIntyre will join the Oregon State football program as Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach, Head Coach JaMarcus Shephard announced Thursday.

“Coach MacIntyre brings a wealth of knowledge as a former head coach but also a defensive play caller at various conferences throughout college football,” Shephard said. “He has a track record of developing talent, while also hiring his former players to be a part of his staff. That told me a lot about the man as much as it did about the coach.”

A 33-year veteran of collegiate coaching, MacIntyre has experience as the head coach at Florida International, Colorado and San Jose State, and served as the defensive coordinator at Memphis, Ole Miss, Duke and Temple.

“I’m incredibly thankful to Coach Shephard and Oregon State University for the opportunity to be the defensive coordinator at a program with a proud football history and a standard of excellence both on and off the field,” MacIntyre said. “Excited to build something special and can’t wait to get to work.”

The appointment is contingent on the completion of all university hiring processes.

MacIntyre was the Consensus National Coach of the Year in 2016 after guiding Colorado to its first winning season since 2005, posting a 10-4 record and claiming the Pac-12 South Division Title. While at San Jose State, he was named the Grant Teaff National Coach of the Year after leading the Spartans to the program’s first ranking in the final BCS standings (No. 24) following a 10-2 mark in 2012. In 2009, he was named the AFCA FBS Assistant Coach of the Year while serving as Duke’s defensive coordinator.

He was previously a senior defensive analyst at Mississippi State for one season in 2025.

… Continue reading story here …

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February 5th 

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CBS Sports Big 12 Power Rankings: CU in at No. 12

From CBS Sports … The Big 12 has a new leader in the clubhouse after Texas Tech won its first outright conference title since 1955. However, seven unique teams have won the league over the past seven years, so everything can change in an instant.

Unlike last year, it’s a season of transition in the Big 12. At least 10 teams are breaking in new quarterbacks and coaching mainstays like Mike Gundy, Chris Klieman and Matt Campbell are off to new adventures. Additionally, 22 of the 28 position players on the All-Big 12 first team are no longer in the league.

With the path cleared, there’s ample opportunity for sleepers to force their way into the mix. Here’s how we power rank the Big 12 after the transfer portal wave, but with seven full months remaining until kickoff.

Big 12 Power Rankings …

1. Texas Tech
2. BYU
3. Houston
4. Arizona
5. Arizona State
6. Utah
7. TCU
8. Oklahoma State
9. Kansas State
10. Kansas
11. Cincinnati
12. Colorado … The Buffaloes put together an interesting defensive transfer class headlined by linebacker Liona Lefau (Texas) and cornerback Boo Carter (Tennessee). On offense, the running game remains a potentially fatal question. Losing left tackle Jordan Seaton was a crushing blow. Talented wide receiver transfers joined the program, but losing both Dre’lon Miller and Omarion Hampton will be another ding in the development of quarterback Julian Lewis. Once again, the offensive line remains one of the biggest questions in the conference.
13. Baylor
14. UCF
15. West Virginia
16. Iowa State

… Read full story here …

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February 3rd

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CU won’t be playing in Northwestern’s new stadium; Wildcats to open stadium v. Penn State in October

From ESPN … Northwestern will open Ryan Field, its new $862 million stadium, in prime time on Friday, Oct. 2, for the Wildcats’ Big Ten opener against Penn State.

The new facility will debut exactly 100 years after Northwestern Stadium opened on the same site.

The Wildcats’ first two home contests — vs. South Dakota State on Sept. 5 and vs. Colorado on Sept. 19 — will be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, a smaller on-campus facility flanking Lake Michigan where the Wildcats have hosted the majority of games the past two seasons.

The team’s remaining five home games will be played at Ryan Field.

For more than a year, Ryan Field organizers had designated the fall of 2026 to open the 35,000-seat facility. When demolition work began later than initially hoped, in February 2024, organizers privately targeted mid-September 2026 for completion. The timeline has been maintained despite inflation challenges and more days lost to harsh weather than originally expected.

“Those [first two] games were likely always going to be on the lake,” Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development, told ESPN. “The only way we would have been able to support those games is if we finished early, and just with the weather alone, there’s no way we were going to get this thing done then. So we’ve had tough headwinds, but we’ve had some good tailwinds because of great people. And the stadium, despite all of this, is going to end up being delivered in mid-September, on time.”

Ryan said Northwestern will use the time between the construction completion and the Penn State game to conduct a soft open, which involves testing stadium operations and troubleshooting. The team also will hold some practices there before facing the Nittany Lions.

“We thought we’d wait until the Big Ten schedule was finalized to really lock in where we’re going to be,” athletic director Mark Jackson told ESPN. “This does give us some breathing room to get in the building, operate it right, get a feel, do some events, get the team in there, do all the things we want to do, as opposed to Sept. 5, which would have really put us in a bind.”

Jackson said the Friday prime-time kickoff slot was appealing to allow fans to experience the stadium throughout the day.

The stadium project has been billed as the largest in college football history. The original project goal was $800 million, but Ryan said it swelled to $922 million before being “value-engineered” to $862 million, with the Ryan family covering the majority of costs.

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January 31st 

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Oklahoma State eclipses CU’s record for departures, with 64 players lost

… Iowa State lost 54 players, just short of CU’s 2023 record of 56 players lost … 

From msn.com … With the 2026 college football transfer portal officially closed for new entries, the Oklahoma State Cowboys set an all-time college football record for transfer portal departures.

According to On3, the program lost 64 players this cycle, and it is the most by any school in a single year. The previous record belonged to the Colorado Buffaloes, which lost 56 players in 2023.

The exodus followed Mike Gundy’s midseason dismissal after a 1-2 start that included a humiliating 69-3 loss to the Oregon Ducks and a home defeat to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

Gundy went 170-90 over 20 seasons in Stillwater, leading the Cowboys to a Big 12 championship in 2011 and eight 10-win campaigns. But the 58-year-old had a disappointing 2024 season with a 3-9 record, and his underwhelming start to 2025 sealed the program’s fate.

His firing opened a 30-day transfer portal window for Oklahoma State players. That early window, combined with the regular January portal period, created a perfect storm for departures.

According to a previous Pokes Report, just 30 players from the previous roster remained listed on the active board inside the team staff room. Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Wendell Gregory led the notable exits. The linebacker posted 19 solo tackles, eight assists and four sacks before transferring to the Kansas State Wildcats.

… Continue reading story here …

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… AND YET … from my “Why Not Us?” Essay last weekend … 

Morris gutted the Oklahoma State roster. There are fewer returning Cowboys on the team than what Coach Prime kept from CU’s 2022 team.

But don’t look for critical articles, like the ones Coach Prime faced in 2023.

Nope. It’s the exact opposite:

• Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News has Oklahoma State in his preseason Top 25 … No. 23 – Oklahoma State – We view first-year coach Eric Morris as a genius-level offensive mind — those who watched North Texas will agree — who is more than capable of turning OSU into a Big 12 contender in his first season.
• Brandon Marcello at CBS Sports …  I’m a firm believer that Oklahoma State will rebound from one of the worst seasons ever to become a challenger in the Big 12 after Eric Morris’ arrival from North Texas.
• Bill Connelly at ESPN … OSU will score plenty of points in 2026, and if the Cowboys’ close-games luck flips as well, they could be a huge turnaround story.

Oklahoma State hasn’t won a game against an FBS team – not one! – since September of 2024. The Cowboys haven’t won a Big 12 conference game since November of 2023. The last time Colorado played Oklahoma State, in the regular season finale of the 2024 season, the Buffs won, 52-0.

And yet, with an entirely new roster, Oklahoma State is rated by the pundits as a dark horse pick to be a Big 12 contender.

… You tell me … 

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January 29th

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CBS Sports Top 100 Transfers – CU has two transferring in; two lost

From CBS Sports …The college football transfer portal has quickly reshaped the sport’s ecosystem, turning roster building into a year-round, high-stakes exercise in talent acquisition. What was once supplemental for many has become foundational for others, as programs lean on proven production and experience to fill immediate needs, while others simply don’t have access to that level of luxury (a run-of-the-mill starter in the SEC could expect to pull in at least $600,000 on the open market).

Every cycle brings its own level of volatility, but the 2026 cycle’s movement felt especially aggressive, with high-end starters — particularly at quarterback — testing the market and NFL-caliber talent changing addresses at a rapid pace.

This Top 100 from my big board rankings at 247Sports reflects that reality. From former five-stars searching for new life to plug-and-play trench pieces and dynamic skill players ready to step into featured roles, these are the transfers who are positioned to make the biggest impact in 2026 and beyond.

From the Big 12 … 

By school, players transferring in … Oklahoma State (3); Texas Tech (2); Arizona State (2); Colorado (2); BYU (1); Kansas State (1); Baylor (1); Utah (1) … None in the top 100: Arizona (0); Kansas (0); Iowa State (0); TCU (0); Houston (0); West Virginia (0); Cincinnati (0); UCF (0) …

By school, players lost … Iowa State (4); Utah (3); Colorado (2); Kansas State (2); Arizona State (2); Cincinnati (1); Baylor (1); TCU (1); Oklahoma State (1) … None in the top 100: Arizona (0); BYU (0); Kansas (0); TCU (0); Houston (0); Texas Tech (0); West Virginia (0) …

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2. Brendan Sorsby, QB, Texas Tech (Cincinnati)

3. Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State (North Texas)

4. Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU (Colorado) …What they’re getting: A former five-star and the No. 1 offensive tackle in the Class of 2024, Seaton started 22 games over two seasons under Deion Sanders at Colorado. The most valuable non-quarterback in the transfer portal, his plug-and-play ability directly addresses LSU’s biggest need outside of quarterback.

10. Mateen Ibirogba, DL, Texas Tech (Wake Forest)

13. Omarion Miller, WR, Arizona State (Colorado) … What they’re getting: Coming off a breakout season in Boulder in which he totaled over 800 receiving yards at 18 yards per reception, Miller, alongside new running mate Reed Harris, looks to quickly establish himself as a primary successor to Jordan Tyson in Tempe.

17. Reed Harris, WR, Arizona State (Boston College)

20. DeAndre Moore Jr., WR, Colorado (Texas) … What they’re getting: Moore departs Austin for Boulder as he looks to step into a larger role and earn more targets, joining forces with starting quarterback Julian Lewis and the Buffaloes in the Big 12. A shifty slot operator with an excellent feel for creating consistent separation both off the line of scrimmage and at the top of the route, Moore pairs well with Lewis’s skill set.

23. Caleb Hawkins, RB, Oklahoma State (North Texas)

64. Cade Ulave, LB, BYU (California)

68. Wyatt Young, WR, Oklahoma State (North Texas)

71. Wendell Gregory, EDGE, Kansas State (Oklahoma State)

73. Boo Carter, S, Colorado (Tennessee) … What they’re getting: Following a promising true freshman season, Carter struggled to make the same on-field impact in Knoxville this past year, and fell into Josh Heupel’s doghouse over the offseason. A talented nickel defender who adds playmaking in both the secondary and as a returner, the Buffaloes are banking on a fresh start to help rediscover his early-career success.

84. Hosea Wheeler, DL, Baylor (Indiana)

99. Braden Pegan, WR, Utah (Utah State)

… Read full list here …

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January 28th

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West Virginia and Cincinnati the only Big 12 teams facing four ranked teams in 2026 (CU facing three)

… While Big 12 favorite Texas Tech faces only Arizona State (at home, after a bye) … 

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January 27th 

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Indiana recipe for success (which CU is following?): Don’t chase stars

From The Athletic … It’s no secret that when Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State were winning national titles, they were also annually near the top of the high school recruiting rankings. When Michigan won two years ago, it had 13 players picked in the next NFL Draft.

Indiana, of course, was not a recruiting behemoth. But Cignetti brought in players he knew from James Madison, plus other transfers and high school players he and his staff identified as good fits.

As one of the power-conference head coaches put it: “I’m looking for guys that love football. And that’s what Indiana’s got. They love the team aspect. Especially with this NIL and rev share stuff going on.”

That’s not to say the Alabamas, Georgias and Ohio States were just living off the blue-chip ratings. They also identified which blue chips were the best fits and developed a decent number of three-star players. Cignetti, who coached under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2009 to 2012, knew something about evaluating high school recruits.

In the transfer portal, recruiting is about looking at production at a player’s previous school, even if it’s a lower level. And looking at player intangibles, rather than just pure skill.

One head coach at the Group of 6 level thought Cignetti might have benefited from not feeling pressure to pull in a top-ranked recruiting class.

“Cignetti wasn’t worried about riding the up-and-down of the recruiting cycle, where sometimes you’ve gotta deal with the fan base,” the coach said. “Social media gets really loud if you’re not getting four- and five-star ranked guys. I don’t know if pressure is the right word, but sometimes people feel they have to try and create that momentum or ride that momentum. He wasn’t concerned about that at all. I don’t think he dealt with that, worrying about what guys might be ranked. He just ignored it. They just trusted their evaluations. That’s a learning point.”

Evaluation was also a key point made by a power-conference assistant, especially on the portal. This coach also spent time in the NFL, and said that experience — when he was evaluating college players for the draft — has become a useful skill for college coaches.

“More than anything, what makes a good head football coach looks really different than it did 10 years ago,” this coach said. “It used to be that you needed to be a great high school evaluator, relationship builder, and good ol’ boy with donors. Now, you better be really good at evaluating college tape and knowing how to price it, all while building relationships with players to help them not leave.”

… Continue reading story here …

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