NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Southeastern Conference is no longer expected to vote on whether to expel LSU from the league on Thursday. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the SEC has not released a public statement about canceling the planned vote. Thursday’s meeting is not open to the public and is being held by video conference. LSU President Wade Rousse sent a letter, obtained by the AP, to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stating that the league’s claims in a federal lawsuit it filed against LSU are now “moot” because first-year Tigers coach Lane Kiffin had complied with a conference ban on rostering players who had previously signed contracts with NFL teams.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Arch Manning’s 2025 Heisman Trophy campaign started and ended with a rocky season-opening loss at Ohio State. Over in the Buckeyes’ huddle, Julian Sayin’s first career start launched a standout season that found him, not Manning, among the Heisman finalists last December. They face off again Saturday when No. 1 Ohio State meets the No. 4 Longhorns in Austin. The rematch could very well set the narrative for both players and teams for the rest of the season.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama handled life on the road far better in Kalen DeBoer’s second season than his first. After going 2-3 in true road games in 2024, the Crimson Tide improved to 5-1 last season. Now, Kentucky awaits as Alabama’s first road test of 2026. Alabama is 7-7 away from home through DeBoer’s first two seasons, including three losses at neutral sites, compared with a 13-1 record at Bryant-Denny Stadium. But the Crimson Tide won their final five true road games last season, including a College Football Playoff victory at Oklahoma.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Jayhawks and Missouri Tigers will reignite their historic college football rivalry on Friday night. The Border War dates back to 1891, with roots in the Civil War era. The Jayhawks and their athletic director, Travis Goff, recently posted images celebrating the Jayhawks' abolitionist history on social media, sparking responses from Missouri fans that underscored just how divisive the game has become. The rivalry paused in 2012 when Missouri joined the SEC but resumed last year with the Tigers winning in Columbia. The teams face off again Friday night in Lawrence. The game is more than just football; it’s a clash of history and pride.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jadan Baugh ran 14 times for 160 yards and three touchdowns in Florida's opener, leading the Gators to a 66-21 victory against Florida Atlantic and establishing himself as the team’s top playmaker in 2026. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior from Atlanta was a one-man highlight reel, juking several defenders between the tackles, running away from others in the open field and even leveling one at the goal line. He also twice struck a Heisman Trophy pose after scoring runs. Florida receiver Bailey Stockton says he's “the best back in the country” and adds “If you have him in the backfield, you are going to win a lot of football games.”
UNDATED (AP) — No. 1 Ohio State at No. 4 Texas highlights the Week 2 schedule and is the first regular-season top-five matchup since the Buckeyes beat the Longhorns 14-7 in Columbus last year. There are plenty of reasons to watch. A bevy of future NFL players will be on the field. It’s a classic Big Ten-SEC matchup. Though no College Football Playoff spots are at stake, the outcome definitely could impact seeding come December. Both teams have been ranked in the top 10 for all six of their meetings and this will be the fourth time both are in the top five.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 1 Ohio State at No. 4 Texas has been a red-letter game on the college football calendar for months. The teams meet in Austin on Saturday in what will be a mini litmus test in the debate over Big Ten-SEC supremacy. It could also be a factor down the road in College Football Playoff seeding but cannot be considered a knockout game. The Longhorns will be trying to beat a No. 1 team for the first time since 2008. The Big Ten-SEC undercard Saturday has No. 11 Oklahoma at Michigan and Mississippi State at Minnesota.
TYSONS, Va. (AP) — The College Sports Commission cleared more than $227 million worth of name, image and likeness deals in the two-month period ending August 31, nearly doubling the value of all the deals cleared over its first year of existence. Much of the increase can be attributed to a streamlined process with the commission’s NIL Go platform that players and schools use to submit deals, along with more personnel to evaluate deals. The agency now has 29 full-time employees, with 12 devoted full-time to NIL Go.
