Samwise College Football Newsletter
Thursday, May 14, 2026
ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten United Behind 24-Team CFP; SEC Stands Alone as December Deadline Looms
The ACC, Big 12, and Big Ten are now united behind expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, leaving the SEC as the sole major holdout. ACC coaches and athletic directors voiced unanimous support during their spring meetings this week, joining the other Power Four conferences in backing a larger postseason. The CFP remained at 12 teams for 2026 after negotiations stalled, but a December 1, 2026 deadline exists for changes to the following season. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has cited the SEC Championship Game’s $80-million-plus annual value as a key obstacle to expansion, while ESPN has reportedly preferred keeping the field at no more than 16 teams.
Sources: CBS Sports
Ohio State Tops CBS Sports’ Post-Spring Rankings of All 138 FBS Teams — But the Elite Tier Is Paper-Thin
CBS Sports has released its post-spring rankings of all 138 FBS teams, with Ohio State edging Texas for the top spot heading into the 2026 season. The Buckeyes received the best average ballot ranking of 2.0 from expert voters, but the elite tier is tightly bunched. Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, and Georgia all carry average ballot rankings within five spots of each other, with defending champion Indiana and CFP finalist Miami also considered true contenders. Ohio State faces one of the sport’s most challenging schedules, with road games at Texas, Indiana, and USC giving rivals a clear path to knock the Buckeyes from the top early.
Sources: CBS Sports
NCAA Eyes NFL-Style OTAs to Replace Traditional Spring Football as Early as 2027
The NCAA Oversight Committee is considering a proposal to replace traditional spring football with NFL-style organized team activities, with the new format potentially taking effect as soon as 2027. Under the proposal, discussed at ACC spring meetings this week, coaches would be given 21 OTA sessions instead of the current 15 spring practices over a five-week period. Supporters argue the flexibility would benefit player development and reduce injury risk, while opponents worry about losing recruiting opportunities tied to spring visits and the fan experience of spring games. The proposal comes amid broader questions about the college football calendar, including ongoing debate over playoff expansion and scheduling reform.
Sources: On3
Six Programs Top $40M in NIL Roster Value for 2026, With Texas Leading the Pack at $47.9M
Six college football programs are reportedly operating with NIL roster valuations above $40 million ahead of the 2026 season, underscoring the financial divide reshaping the sport. Texas leads all programs at an estimated $47.9 million, followed by Miami at $44 million, Ohio State at $43.5 million, LSU at $42.8 million, Oregon at $42.8 million, and Notre Dame at $40.4 million. The figures from College Front Office reflect estimated roster market value rather than actual spending. With valuations expected to surpass $50 million by 2027, analysts warn the gap between elite programs and the rest of college football continues to widen significantly.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Post-Spring Top 10 (Pre-Season)
AP Poll Begins August — CBS Sports Ranking
1. Ohio State
2. Texas
3. Oregon
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Indiana (def. champ)
7. Miami
8. Alabama
9. Penn State
10. LSU
2026 Season Favorites
SEC
Texas — projected No. 2
Georgia, Alabama, LSU close behind
Big Ten
Ohio State — CBS No. 1
Indiana (def. champ) — +250
Big 12
Oklahoma (QB John Mateer)
ACC
Clemson, Florida State, Miami
Curated by JD · samwise.agency