UNDATED (AP) — The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams next year, ending a three-decade era of conference title games. College leaders announced the new format Monday after ESPN agreed to rework its contract to add 11 new games. The deal is for five years and an additional $1.7 billion. The new format will have five automatic qualifiers, including champions from the Power Four leagues. The other teams will be chosen by a selection panel. The top eight seeds will receive first-round byes, and the playoff will start on the second weekend in December.
UNDATED (AP) — College football moved yet another step closer to a postseason that will resemble the come-one-come-all nature of the pros. And yet, the 24-team playoff will not completely get rid of some things that make college football unique and, often, frustrating. While four of the 24 spots in next year’s playoffs will go to teams that win their conferences, all the rest will be entered into the bracket based on the opinion of a selection committee. It’s not a far cry from the days of sports writers and coaches weighing in on weekly polls to determine who was best in the nation.
UNDATED (AP) — More than 35 years ago, the SEC introduced the idea of splitting into divisions and holding a league title game in football. These games became a major TV event, generating billions over three decades. However, with the newly expanded 24-team playoff coming next year, there's no room for these games anymore. Despite the financial benefits, some, like Nick Saban, lament the loss of conference championships.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Matas Vokietaitis had 26 points and nine rebounds to help No. 7 Texas beat Grambling State 93-62. Vokietaitis, a 7-foot junior, shot 8 for 12 from the field and made 10 of 12 free throws in 23 minutes. He leads the 3-0 Longhorns in scoring at 21.3 points per game. Joe Sterling added 13 points and Marcus Spears Jr. had 12, both off the bench. Elyjah Freeman provided 11 points and six rebounds, and David Punch finished with 10 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Mekhi Fitts led Grambling with 13 points.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — London Jemison made 7 of 7 shots, including six 3-pointers, as No. 18 Alabama beat Oakland 109-68. Alabama guard Aden Holloway started in his season debut after serving a five-game suspension following his March arrest on drug charges that were later dismissed. Holloway hit two 3-pointers in the final two minutes of the first half and finished with 12 points, all on 3s. Jemison scored 20 points and Amari Allen had 14 points and six assists for the Crimson Tide. Nassim Mashhour led Oakland with 18 points, and Chris Fields Jr. had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Terrence Hill Jr. scored 18 points to lead No. 11 Tennessee to a 70-47 victory over Radford. Dai Dai Ames had 13 points and DeWayne Brown II had 12 rebounds for the Volunteers. The Volunteers, now 2-0, are working to build a cohesive unit with eight new additions focused on offense. Jalen Haralson added 11 points, including five in a 16-0 second-half run. Radford struggled, going over eight minutes without scoring. Jordan Kee scored 16 and Warren Keel Jr. added 13 to lead the Highlanders.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Tahaad Pettiford scored 26 points and Auburn pulled away in the second half to beat Appalachian State 75-53. Pettiford made 8 of 16 shots with three 3-pointers and all seven of his free throws for the Tigers (2-0). Adam Olsen scored nine on 3-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc for Auburn, and fellow reserve Kolby King totaled nine points and four rebounds. Eren Banks finished with 19 points to lead the Mountaineers (2-1). Jaylen Colon scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — PJ Haagerty scored 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and Texas A&M walloped Louisiana-Monroe 108-67. In shooting 52% (38 of 73) overall, the Aggies saw 13 players enter the scoring column. Texas A&M built a 16-3 lead and never trailed. They were up 54-27 at halftime. Quaran McPherson scored 16 points and reserve Khalil London 12 for Louisiana-Monroe.
