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.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self acknowledges he's probably not yet ready for the new college basketball season. But it's not due to doubts about returning for his 34th season or his past health issues. Instead, he's recovering from offseason knee-replacement surgery, which might limit his sideline activity early. The 63-year-old Self says he's still limping a bit but otherwise feels good as the Jayhawks prepared for Friday night's exhibition opener against Pittsburg State. The Jayhawks have high expectations with top recruit Tyran Stokes leading a rebuilt roster surrounding Tre White and Melvin Council Jr., who are back for another year after winning court injunctions.
UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 has a couple of significant Top 25 matchups this weekend. While it won't count in the Big 12 standings, there could be big playoff implications as No. 8 BYU hosts No. 2 Notre Dame. They were the first two teams left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff field last year. Also Saturday, surprising No. 18 Oklahoma State puts its four-game winning streak on the line at No. 20 Houston, which has won three in a row. Undefeated No. 11 Utah plays at Colorado.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas and Kansas State are gearing up for their annual football rivalry, the Sunflower Showdown. Both teams face a sense of urgency on Saturday. Kansas risks a 2-4 record if it loses in Manhattan, while the Wildcats' already fading hopes of contending for a Big 12 title would be dashed entirely with its first loss to the Jayhawks in 18 games. It will be the 116th consecutive time that Kansas and Kansas State have played in football, making the Sunflower Showdown the third-longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Its 124 total meetings make it the ninth-most played rivalry overall.
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.
UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State has emerged as a surprise in the Big 12 under new head coach Eric Morris. After a rocky start, the Cowboys have won all their games since losing to Tulsa, including a major upset against Oregon. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who followed Morris from North Texas, leads the Big 12 in passing. Oklahoma State ended a 21-game losing streak against FBS opponents with a win over Oregon on September 12. The team is now ranked 18th and has been recognized as the most surprising Big 12 team at the season's midpoint. Morris was also named top coach by Associated Press writers.
