UNDATED (AP) — College football has moved closer to a 24-team postseason after securing what a person familiar with the negotiations called a “handshake agreement” between the College Football Playoff and broadcast partner ESPN. The deal would make up for the nine-figure sums the major conferences would lose by getting rid of their title games. The person familiar with the agreement, which has not been finalized, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing negotiations. It would take effect next season. ESPN is reporting that the average additional payment for six years of the expanded playoff would be $345 million a year.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA has filed a federal lawsuit against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. This comes after DeWine signed an executive order allowing Ohio colleges to let athletes who graduated in 2022 play a fifth year. NCAA President Charlie Baker says the lawsuit, filed Friday, aims to prevent DeWine from disrupting fair competition among schools. The order allows public and private universities in Ohio to let athletes play, despite the NCAA's new rule excluding those who have played four seasons. The rule, passed in June, is already facing multiple court challenges.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA's new rule allowing athletes five years of eligibility has sparked months of confusion and lawsuits. College athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 went to court in multiple states, seeking permission to play a fifth season. Some players who spent time with professional teams tried to return to college, prompting immediate opposition from the NCAA and athletic conferences. Now the NCAA has sued the Ohio governor after h said athletes could ignore the new rules.
UNDATED (AP) — The Southeastern Conference features plenty of exciting matchups this week. Alabama heads to Tennessee for the third Saturday in October rivalry. Both teams are 5-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Alabama is missing key players, which could be tough against Tennessee's strong defense. Tennessee's freshman quarterback, Faizon Brandon, might not play due to a shoulder injury. Alabama is favored by 8.5 points. Meanwhile, Ole Miss hosts Missouri. Missouri's quarterback, Austin Simmons, returns to his former team. Both teams have playoff hopes with just one loss each. Ole Miss is a 6-point favorite at home.
UNDATED (AP) — Miami quarterback Darian Mensah was the overwhelming choice for first-team quarterback on The Associated Press midseason All-America team. UCLA led all teams with three players on the top unit. Eight players from the Southeastern Conference and seven each from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten are on the first team. The team is determined by a panel of media members who vote each week in the AP Top 25. Nine players who were on the AP preseason All-America first team also were voted to the midseason first team. Four other preseason first-team picks are on the second team.
NEW YORK (AP) — Catholic college basketball has a rich history, filled with talented teams, colorful coaches, and unforgettable characters. That legacy will soon be celebrated with the first-ever Eternal City Tip-Off on November 1 in Rome, when Notre Dame and Villanova's men's and women's teams face off at the Palazzo dello Sport. The arena is near the Vatican, home base to Pope Leo XIV. Not only is he the first American pope, he's a sports fan and a Villanova alum. Villanova has accounted for three the 10 men's titles won by Catholic schools since the NCAA tournament began in 1939.
