SEC's High-Stakes Destin Meetings Could Decide CFP Expansion

The SEC's annual spring meetings in Destin, Florida, beginning May 26, could determine the future of the College Football Playoff. With the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 all formally endorsing a 24-team expansion model, commissioner Greg Sankey's conference remains the lone holdout. Internal divisions complicate the SEC's position: Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt reported that 90 percent of SEC coaches and all athletic directors favor the 24-team format, putting them at odds with Sankey's publicly stated preference for 16 teams. A December 1 deadline looms for any format change to take effect in 2027, making the Destin discussions the sport's most consequential off-field gathering this year.

Sources: CBS Sports

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Big Ten's Petitti Draws Hard Line: 24-Team CFP or Stay at 12

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti made his conference's position unambiguous at spring meetings in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, declaring the playoff will either expand to 24 teams or remain at 12. All 18 Big Ten schools unanimously support the larger bracket, which would eliminate conference championship games and grant first-round byes to the top eight seeds. Petitti rejected a 16-team compromise, arguing the economics do not work without championship-game revenue. He also signaled patience, stating that if the SEC needs more time, the Big Ten will wait rather than accept a smaller expansion the conference considers insufficient for broad competitive access.

Sources: ESPN

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Judge Recuses from Sorsby NCAA Eligibility Lawsuit

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's legal fight for 2026 eligibility hit a procedural snag when Judge Phillip Hays recused himself from the case. Hays, who holds two degrees from Texas Tech, filed his recusal without explanation. Sorsby entered an inpatient treatment facility in late April after disclosing thousands of sports bets, and his attorneys filed an injunction May 19 in Lubbock County district court seeking full eligibility restoration. The lawsuit, led by attorney Jeffrey Kessler of House settlement fame, argues the NCAA's gambling bylaws are hypocritical given the sport's embrace of sportsbook partnerships. A new judge will preside over a hearing scheduled for June 1.

Sources: ESPN

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Ohio State Claims No. 1 in CBS Sports Post-Spring Rankings

Ohio State claimed the top spot in the CBS Sports 138 post-spring rankings, edging Texas by a slim margin based on expert balloting. The Buckeyes return star receiver Jeremiah Smith, widely considered the best player in college football, along with quarterback Julian Sayin and seven other offensive starters. Texas follows at No. 2, with Oregon at No. 3, Notre Dame at No. 4, and Georgia rounding out the top five. Ohio State faces a demanding schedule that includes road trips to Texas on September 12 and Oregon on November 7, plus matchups against Indiana, USC, Michigan, and Iowa.

Sources: CBS Sports

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Six Programs Blow Past $40 Million in NIL Roster Valuation

Six college football programs have reportedly surpassed the $40 million mark in roster NIL valuation heading into the 2026 season, led by Texas at $47.9 million. Miami follows at $44.0 million, Ohio State at $43.5 million, LSU at $42.8 million, and Oregon at $42.8 million. The College Sports Commission reported clearing more than 26,000 NIL deals worth $242.3 million through May 1 since its launch. Meanwhile, the House settlement's $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap has introduced direct institutional payments, with most Power Four schools directing a significant percentage of that allocation toward football rosters.

Sources: Yahoo Sports

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100 Days Out: CBS Sports Maps the 2026 Season Landscape

With the 2026 college football season now 100 days away, CBS Sports released its comprehensive season preview highlighting the sport's biggest storylines. Indiana's quest to defend its first national championship headlines the list, as coach Curt Cignetti aims to prove the program's historic run was no fluke. An unusually deep quarterback class features 10 passers with at least 30 career starts, while 27 more bring 20-plus starts into the season. The preview also spotlights coaching debuts at LSU, Michigan, and Penn State, where Lane Kiffin, Kyle Whittingham, and Matt Campbell respectively face enormous expectations at tradition-rich programs.

Sources: CBS Sports

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