UNDATED (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey says the league is considering its own rules for college sports if Congress doesn't establish national standards. Speaking at SEC basketball media days, Sankey emphasized the need for federal help but noted the conference might take a more active role if Congress falls short. Last month, the Senate passed a bill to regulate college sports, addressing athlete payments and transfers. Sankey also discussed expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams, showing more openness to the idea. He addressed the issue of professional athletes returning to college, restating the SEC's stance against it.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference has ongoing concerns about what it says is LSU's "complete lack of institutional control." The SEC's latest court filing addresses LSU's attempts to include players with NFL ties in its football program. The SEC claims LSU is defying its Professionalism Rules and could face membership termination. LSU's basketball coach, Will Wade, has openly recruited RJ Luis, who spent time with NBA teams, and allowed him to practice with the team. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill argues the SEC's case lacks merit.
UNDATED (AP) — Kentucky has become one of college football's biggest surprises this season. Coach Will Stein has led the Wildcats to a 5-1 start, their best since 2023, and the best start for a first-year Kentucky coach since 1913. Stein's bold strategies, including risky two-point conversions, have paid off. The Associated Press has named him the SEC’s top coach and his team the biggest surprise. Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Texas junior Colin Simmons have been standout players. Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon has shown promise, while Texas A&M has struggled, putting coach Mike Elko on the hot seat.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida could be without starting quarterback Aaron Philo for Saturday’s game at No. 7 Texas. A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Philo has been limited in practice this week because of a shoulder injury. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Philo and the Gators have not disclosed the injury publicly. Philo is expected to be listed as questionable on the weekly Southeastern Conference injury report released later Wednesday. If Philo doesn’t play, sophomore Tramell Jones would make his first career start.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Will Stein hasn’t wasted any time producing wins in his debut season at Kentucky back in his home state. Stein has the No. 15 Wildcats off to a 5-1 start, the best for a first-year Kentucky coach since Alpha Brumage won five of his first six games in 1913. Stein has led the Wildcats to upsets of top 10 teams at Texas A&M and a 35-34 overtime win over then-No. 10 LSU last weekend that had Kentucky fans flooding the field in celebration. The new coach has quickly instilled both a confidence and attitude of expectation not seen in Lexington since Hal Mumme’s “Air Raid” offense touched down in 1996.
UNDATED (AP) — It will be a reunion of sorts on Saturday at Ole Miss, where the No. 9 Rebels play No. 13 Missouri in a crucial Southeastern Conference matchup. Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons and wide receiver Cayden Lee both played for Ole Miss last season. Simmons was the Rebels' starting QB before getting hurt, losing the job to Trinidad Chambliss and then never getting back. There is no animosity on either side, though. Both coaching staffs and their players appreciated the way the transfer process played out, and they are happy that it left everyone involved with only positive memories.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trailing 17-10 at halftime against South Carolina, Florida coach Jon Sumrall felt an unsettling vibe in the locker room. He says “you would have thought somebody’s dog died.” It gave Sumrall a glimpse of what’s been happening in Gainesville for years: the Gators simply haven’t handled adversity well. One defensive breakdown tends to devolve into a deluge of mistakes. One offensive miscue typically leads to more issues, eventually becoming too much to overcome. One loss turns into two — or three or four. It’s a trend Sumrall inherited and one he hopes to end when Florida plays at No. 7 Texas on Saturday.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Shea Ralph finally has Vanderbilt right where the reigning AP women’s Coach of the Year is most comfortable. The Commodores are primed to chase championships. Ralph says everyone came to Vanderbilt to be great and this is what she's trained for. Revitalizing a program with its lone Final Four berth back in 1993 is why Ralph was hired away from her job as an assistant at her alma mater UConn. Vanderbilt went 29-5 and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008-09. Ralph has All-American Mikayla Blakes and guard Aubrey Galvan back with a talented freshmen class and two key portal additions.
