UNDATED (AP) — Exactly 68 schools reached or came within 5 percent of reaching the $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap over the first season of a system that allowed the schools to pay their players directly. That's the same number of athletic programs in the four biggest conferences in Division I. The College Sports Commission says 319 schools opted in to the arrangement that allowed them to pay players. Of those, 307 doled out $1.77 billion in revenue. The CSC did not divulge the identities of the 68 schools who went all-in, though it was widely expected that all Power Four schools would.
UNDATED (AP) — Alabama and Mississippi State meet in the SEC’s biggest game of the week, with both teams entering 4-0 and ranked in the AP Top 25. Alabama has rolled through its first four games behind quarterback Keelon Russell and an offense averaging 48 points per game, but the Crimson Tide have yet to face a ranked opponent. Mississippi State has emerged as one of the SEC’s surprise teams under quarterback Kamario Taylor, who has the Bulldogs averaging 43 points and a conference-best 533.3 yards per game. Elsewhere, Florida looks to build on its upset of Ole Miss against Missouri.
UNDATED (AP) — Florida and Missouri are set to clash in an SEC football matchup on Saturday. Despite their limited history, recent games have sparked a smoldering rivalry between the Gators and Tigers. Florida has lost three of its last four at Missouri's Faurot Field. The Gators, ranked No. 8, are off to a strong start this season, matching last year's win total and defeating then-No. 4 Ole Miss last week. Missouri, ranked No. 25, aims to bounce back after a loss to Mississippi State. Both teams have some injury concerns with Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III and Missouri edge rushers Langden Kitchen and Darris Smith all questionable.
UNDATED (AP) — Quarterback Kamario Taylor’s dynamism and clutch play has provided Mississippi State’s cowbell-ringing fans reason to believe this Saturday could be different from every other time the Bulldogs have played Alabama since 2007. Alabama which will invade Starkville ranked at No. 7 in the AP Top 25 and unbeaten in four games. The Crimson Tide has won 16 straight in the series and the past six by between 23 and 41 points. Mississippi State also is unbeaten and ranked 16th. Taylor is completing nearly 70% of his passes for 298 yards per game with 14 TDs against just two interceptions. He also has rushed 37 times for 185 yards and a score
UNDATED (AP) — Five-star recruit Jared Curtis, who initially committed to Georgia, is now Vanderbilt's starting quarterback. He'll play against Georgia on Saturday at Sanford Stadium, where he once planned to play for the Bulldogs. Georgia coach Kirby Smart praised Curtis for his athleticism and talent ahead of the matchup. Curtis has 746 passing yards and four touchdowns in four games. Georgia is 4-0 after a 41-13 win against Oklahoma. The Bulldogs' defense forced four turnovers against Oklahoma, three of which were from quarterback John Mateer in the first half. Vanderbilt aims to improve its special teams and rushing game to support Curtis.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Denzel Aberdeen's return to Florida has been mostly smooth despite waiting five months to get cleared to play. Even the code to the locker room remains unchanged from his previous stint in Gainesville. Circuit court judge George Wright granted Aberdeen an injunction this week that provided him a fifth year of college eligibility. The decision should make Florida a popular choice as preseason No. 1. Aberdeen was the final piece — and an important one. The 6-foot-5 guard played three seasons at Florida before transferring to Kentucky last year. He re-enrolled at Florida following an official visit and started working toward finishing his undergraduate degree.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — University of Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte has apologized for the top-ranked Longhorns’ vulgar on-field celebrations during their win over Tennessee and called them “embarrassing” for the school. In rare criticism directed at his own program and players, Del Conte addressed the fallout from the celebrations by defensive end Colin Simmons and running back Raleek Brown on Tuesday in his weekly “Forty Acres Insider” blog post on Texas athletics. Del Conte wrote that similar conduct by players cannot happen again.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Jon Sumrall has been motivating his team with unique themes, like "work the cut," inspired by Buster Douglas's upset over Mike Tyson. This approach helped Florida secure a significant road victory against Auburn and a dominant win over Ole Miss. Sumrall's tactics, reminiscent of Urban Meyer's motivational style, have energized the Gators, who are now ranked No. 8. The team is performing well, with standout players like Jadan Baugh leading in rushing and scoring. Sumrall emphasizes humility, urging the team to stay focused and improve as they prepare to face Missouri.
