Samwise College Football Newsletter
Friday, May 8, 2026
Lane Kiffin Clears LSU Quarterback Sam Leavitt for Full Summer Workouts After Foot Surgery
Lane Kiffin delivered encouraging news Thursday about LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s recovery from the Lisfranc foot injury that ended his 2025 season. Kiffin confirmed Leavitt has had the pins removed from his foot and resumed running activities, saying the former Arizona State transfer is on pace for full summer camp participation. The update is critical for a Tigers program that spent a reported $40 million building its 2026 roster around Leavitt. LSU enters Kiffin’s first season as a recognized CFP contender, but that status hinges on Leavitt being fully available for fall practice.
Sources: TWSN, Saturday Down South
College Football Coaches Association Endorses 24-Team Playoff Expansion, Calls to End Conference Title Games
The American Football Coaches Association voted Thursday to recommend expanding the College Football Playoff to a 24-team format, a move that would fundamentally reshape the postseason. The AFCA’s proposal also calls for eliminating conference championship games, starting the regular season one to two weeks earlier, and reducing bye weeks from two to one per school. The recommendations have no binding power, but carry significant weight with athletic directors. Conference divisions remain split: the Big Ten prefers the 24-team model with automatic qualifier berths, while the SEC favors a 16-team field. The current 12-team playoff format runs through at least the 2026 season.
Sources: CBS Sports, Last Word on Sports
Notre Dame, NBC Announce 2026 Kickoff Times Including Primetime Lambeau Field Shamrock Series Opener
Notre Dame and NBC announced kickoff times Thursday for seven Fighting Irish football games on the 2026 schedule, including several primetime slots. The Shamrock Series game at Lambeau Field against Wisconsin on September 6 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET, giving Notre Dame one of its most anticipated venue showdowns in years. The November 7 rematch against Miami — the team that lost to Indiana in January’s national championship game — is also scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Michigan State, SMU, Rice, Stanford, and Boston College round out the NBC slate, with road game times to be announced later.
Sources: On3, NBC Sports
National Champion Indiana Hoosiers Set for White House Visit Monday as Heisman QB Mendoza Expected to Skip
National champion Indiana will visit the White House on Monday, May 11, to celebrate the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff title. The Hoosiers completed an unprecedented 16-0 season, defeating Miami 27-21 in January’s championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Head coach Curt Cignetti is confirmed to attend, though Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza is expected to skip — the Las Vegas Raiders’ organized team activities begin the same day. Indiana’s title marked the program’s first national championship and one of the greatest Cinderella runs in college football history.
Final 2025 AP Top 10
Post-Championship
1. Indiana (16-0)
2. Miami (14-2)
3. Ole Miss
4. Oregon
5. Ohio State
6. Georgia
7. Texas Tech
8. Texas A&M
9. Alabama
10. Notre Dame
Post-Spring 2026 Leaders
Way-Too-Early Preseason (various analysts)
Texas — No. 1 (CBS Sports)
Ohio State — No. 1 (multiple)
Oregon — Top 5
Georgia — Top 5
Notre Dame — Top 10
LSU — Top 10 (Kiffin era)
Texas Tech — Dropped (Sorsby)
Official preseason AP poll releases Aug. 2026
Curated by JD · samwise.agency