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Big 12 Notes – Georgia Tech Week
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September 5th
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LSU leaves former NFL players off of Week One roster
From ESPN … Tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, who were cleared earlier this week to return to college football after brief stints in the NFL, have not been added to LSU’s roster for the season opener at home against Clemson.
Neither was expected to play Saturday even if they had been added — Harris did not practice and Wright practiced just twice — but they could be on the roster later in the season.
Speaking on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” LSU coach Lane Kiffin said it “wasn’t easy” to leave Wright and Harris off the roster. He added the decision was made for the “big picture of LSU and the LSU football program” amid the “uncertainties of what could come by adding them to the roster.”
Attorney Ryan Downton, who represents Wright and Harris, also addressed the decision in a statement Saturday morning.
“LSU has made a measured decision to keep these two young men off the roster for now while preserving a path for them to be added later,” Downton said. “Everyone should use that space to lower the temperature and look at the facts.”
… Continue reading story here …
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September 4th
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Battle of the Courts: LSU v. SEC – Injunction granted to allow former NFL players to play
From ESPN … Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris are cleared to return to college football after brief stints in the NFL, according to a judge’s orders issued Thursday evening, setting up a dramatic showdown between the SEC and LSU leading into its season-opening game this weekend.
Wright and Harris, both former Ole Miss players, said in a lengthy court hearing Thursday that they intend to join their former coach Lane Kiffin during his debut season at LSU, which opens play Saturday night against Clemson. They are among 42 athletes from various sports — including former Notre Dame pass rusher Junior Tuihalamaka, who also plans to play for LSU — who have sued the NCAA in Louisiana to play a fifth and final season of college sports.
After the ruling, Wright said he plans to be ready to play against Clemson, adding that he has had two days of practice with LSU this week.
“I’ve been working out doing my own thing before I was able to practice, so I’m definitely well prepared,” he said.
Harris said he will need a couple weeks but will be ready for LSU’s game against Ole Miss on Sept. 19.
The two former Rebels are among a handful of football players who have successfully petitioned state courts in Texas and Louisiana to play again in college after signing pro contracts and spending most of August in NFL training camps. Administrators at the NCAA, SEC and most of their schools are adamantly opposed to the players’ return, but Judge William Jorden approved a preliminary injunction Thursday that prohibits the NCAA and SEC from punishing any school that puts them on the field. The ruling does not apply to all athletes, only those named in the lawsuit.
… Continue reading story here …
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Meanwhile … SEC sues LSU for violating SEC rules
From ESPN … The SEC sued LSU in U.S. District Court in Alabama on Thursday, alleging the university is violating the league’s First Amendment right of expressive association by ignoring SEC rules that prohibit signing and playing former NFL players.
The lawsuit, which also names the LSU board of supervisors, LSU president Wade Rousse, athletics director Verge Ausberry and football coach Lane Kiffin as defendants, was filed while SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and others testified during a separate injunction hearing in a state court in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
During Sankey’s testimony in the state court hearing, one of the plaintiff’s attorneys brought up the newly filed federal lawsuit. The revelation sent a buzz through the packed courtroom, as few people were aware of the new development until it was mentioned.
The lawsuit was filed just after midnight on Thursday morning, not during the hearing.
“The SEC has endured and thrived for nearly a century because its members have adhered to that common set of rules, which each member institution, and every coach at those institutions, has agreed to follow,” the SEC’s federal lawsuit said. “Among the most fundamental of those rules are the longstanding provisions that prohibit individuals who have entered a professional draft, signed professional contracts, or been rostered on a professional athletics team from returning to compete in college athletics (the “Professionalism Rules”).
“These rules are built upon an essential principle: college athletics is reserved for students who are actively pursuing an education while competing for their universities. The Professionalism Rules preserve competitive fairness, protect opportunities for high school students and current college athletes, and maintain the distinction between college and professional sports.”
The SEC is asking the federal court for a preliminary and permanent injunction “prohibiting the defendants from violating the conference’s First Amendment rights by compelling the conference to associate with conduct that is contrary to the Conference’s purpose and mission,” and a preliminary and permanent injunction “barring Defendants from seeking to deter, coerce, prevent, or punish the Conference for exercising its First Amendment rights.”
… Continue reading story here …
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September 2nd
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Big 12 Lines for Week One
Thursday, September 3rd
Bethune-Cookman at UCF … 5:00 p.m., MT, ESPN+ … UCF favored by 42.5 points …
Colorado at Georgia Tech … 6:00 p.m., MT, ESPN … Colorado a 6.5-point underdog …
Idaho at Utah … 7:00 p.m., MT , ESPNU … Utah favored by 35.5 points …
Friday, September 4th
LIU at Kansas … 6:00 p.m., MT, ESPNU … Kansas favored by 41.5 points …
Saturday, September 5th
Oregon State at Houston … 10:00 a.m., MT, ESPN … Houston favored by 20.5 points …
Coastal Carolina at West Virginia … 10:00 a.m., MT, TNT & HBO Max … West Virginia favored by 21 points …
SE Missouri at Iowa State … 11:00 a.m., MT, ESPN+ … Iowa State favored by 29.5 points …
Baylor vs. Auburn (Atlanta) … 1:30 p.m., MT, ABC … Baylor a 7.5-point underdog …
Boston College at Cincinnati … 1:30 p.m., MT, FOX … Cincinnati favored by 7.5 points …
Oklahoma State at Tulsa … 12:45 p.m., MT, ESPNU … Oklahoma State favored by 13.5 points …
Nicholls at Kansas State … 5:00 p.m., MT, ESPN+ … Kansas State favored by 40.5 points …
Abilene Christian at Texas Tech … 5:00 p.m., MT, FS1 … Texas Tech favored by 42.5 points …
Utah Tech at BYU … 6:00 p.m., MT, ESPN+ … BYU favored by 51.5 points …
Northern Arizona at Arizona … 7:30 p.m., MT, ESPN+ … Arizona favored by 31.5 points …
Morgan State at Arizona State … 8:00 p.m., MT, ESPN+ … Arizona State favored by 43.5 points …
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September 1st
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CBS Sports list of “Boom or Bust” players for 2026 includes CU running back
From CBS Sports … In a sport often defined by volatility, every contender in college football enters the season with at least one player capable of swinging expectations in either direction. We’ve attempted to identify the nation’s 25 biggest boom-or-bust players within the Power Four ranks, a collection of former five-star prospects, high-profile transfers, unproven quarterbacks or veterans facing one final opportunity to deliver.
Some could become breakout stars and fuel a run toward the College Football Playoff, while others may struggle under expanded roles, new schemes or mounting pressure.
These are not necessarily the nation’s best players, but they rank among its most important variables, and many are all-conference caliber talents. Their ceilings are enormous, their floors are concerning, and their performances could determine whether their teams rise into contention or spend the fall chasing answers instead.
From the Big 12 …
3. Makhi Hughes, RB, Houston
This bruising ballcarrier’s career includes two entirely different realities. At Tulane, Makhi Hughes eclipsed 1,300 yards rushing in consecutive seasons and looked like one of the nation’s most dependable workhorses. At Oregon, he virtually disappeared, managing only 17 carries last season.
After reuniting with Willie Fritz at Houston, Hughes has the familiarity and opportunity to resurface. If his Tulane form returns, he transforms the Cougars’ offense. If Oregon exposed limitations, this comeback could stall before it ever gains traction in the Big 12. Behind him is sophomore Re’Shaun Sanford II, who suffered a season-ending injury last fall and is ready to perform if Hughes goes missing.
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8. Richard Young, RB, Colorado
Take your pick of the Buffaloes’ portal pickups this cycle that has found themselves on the first team for Deion Sanders. This former five-star prospect never carved out a consistent role during three years at Alabama, but the physical traits and recruiting pedigree remain intriguing. Colorado offers the touches Richard Young never received in Tuscaloosa with Brennan Marion’s go-go offense, along with a chance to finally prove he can handle a featured workload.
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16. Ethan Day, EDGE, Utah
Ethan Day, a North Texas transfer who accumulated 53 tackles and 4.5 sacks for the Mean Green last season, has huge shoes to fill off the edge as the replacement for John Henry Daley — Utah’s top defender, who left for Michigan. Day hasn’t yet proved himself at the Power Four level, and considering Daley’s production from last season, he faces sizable expectations.
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18. Zeke Durham-Campbell, EDGE, West Virginia
One of seven new defensive starters from the portal for the Mountaineers, Zeke Durham-Campbell is another Group of Six difference-maker hoping to make an easy transition to a Power Four program as an every-down threat. Durham-Campbell’s career began at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne before he transferred to Louisiana Tech for two seasons and played last fall at Coastal Carolina, where he was a third-team All-Sun Belt nominee. In 13 games in 2025, Durham-Campbell registered 42 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
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19. Austin Romaine, LB, Texas Tech
The assumption is that this former All-Big 12 Kansas State linebacker will alleviate much of the leadership and statistical loss the Red Raiders lost following the NFL departures of Romello Height, Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey within the front. However, those were three dominant defenders, and Austin Romaine’s going to need help from the all-new pass rush in front of him. Texas Tech is well-coached on defense, but expecting Romaine to have All-American numbers might be asking a bit much considering how much the Red Raiders replaced in the trenches.
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Also … Two former Buffs made the list …
12. Chase Sowell, WR, Penn State
After consecutive impressive seasons at East Carolina, Chase Sowell’s production dipped a bit at Iowa State as a junior, with 32 receptions for 500 yards, after going for 34 catches and 678 yards in nine games the previous campaign. Sowell, like many other Iowa State players, followed Matt Campbell to Penn State, where he has earned a starting role on offense. Brett Eskliden should take some of the pressure off Sowell, who could have a big season from the X position.
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14. Dylan Edwards, RB, Kansas
If Dylan Edwards is a 1,000-yard running back, the Jayhawks are going bowling as a factor in the Big 12. If he’s quiet and subdued as a playmaker, this Kansas offense will struggle. He’s electric in the open field and one of the nation’s best when he gets to the edge with a career average of 5.8 yards per carry, but has only shown flashes since bursting onto the scene as a true freshman at Colorado in 2023. He rushed for 546 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore at Kansas State before only playing in four games last season.
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August 29th
… Foe Pause …
TCU upset by North Carolina in Ireland, 15-10
From CBS Sports … North Carolina’s trip to Dublin was never going to be about style points. For second-year coach Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels, it was about setting a tone during Saturday’s 15-10 victory over TCU, delivering the sort of defensive statement capable of changing the trajectory of a program still searching for belief.
Twice in the second half, TCU pushed inside the red zone with a chance to seize control. Twice, UNC slammed the door on fourth down.
Those possessions defined the afternoon and showcased exactly where Belichick’s fingerprints are beginning to appear. The Tar Heels were physical at the point of attack down the stretch and unwilling to yield with their backs against the goal line.
Every critical snap in the fourth quarter became a street fight that UNC seemed prepared to win. This was vintage Belichick football without the glamour: control the line of scrimmage, eliminate easy answers and force the opponent to execute under maximum pressure. Harvard transfer quarterback Jaden Craig and new OC Gordon Sammis had no answers for TCU. That was the difference.
One win does not erase every question surrounding UNC, but this one carries weight. Winning overseas as an underdog in a low-possession game decided by toughness gives Belichick a foundational result to point to moving forward. The Tar Heels looked connected, confident and built for the moment.
Underdogs have now won three consecutive Aer Lingus College Football Classics and four of the six games played since the event’s inaugural matchup in 2016. The Tar Heels held TCU to 281 total yards and its lowest point total since a 41-3 loss to Kansas State three years ago.
UNC is the latest, and perhaps the most consequential. For a program needing proof that Belichick’s blueprint can translate, the Tar Heels found it in the trenches, on fourth down and across the Atlantic Saturday afternoon.
… After 10 first-quarter points, TCU’s next eight possessions produced zero points and two red zone turnovers on downs.
That’s the final, ugly stat line for the Horned Frogs after their season-opening loss to UNC during a frustrating performance that included the offense’s lowest point total (10) since a 2023 loss to Kansas State.
Jeremy Payne’s 142 yards on 25 carries were lost in the shuffle amid a rocky start for quarterback Jaden Craig and OC Gordon Sammis.
Craig’s first career start against a Power Four opponent was every bit the learning experience TCU hoped it would not be. After three seasons at Harvard, Craig entered the opener with considerable buzz as the new trigger man in Sammis’ offense, but the transition in competition level was evident in a sloppy performance for the Horned Frogs.
Craig’s internal clock appeared a tick slow throughout the game, with his worst decision coming on fourth-and-2 at UNC’s 10-yard line with 4:05 left. On a rollout play, he overshot an intended target in the end zone. Craig had the sideline against two defenders and could have gotten a first down with his legs, but decided to go for a touchdown with his arm.
Several throws arrived late or without proper timing, giving defenders opportunities to close on intended targets. Other passes landed in the hands of open receivers, stopping TCU’s offense before it could establish any rhythm.
The wet football certainly did Craig no favors, but the conditions were only part of the issue.
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