Samwise College Football Newsletter
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Big 12 Media Days: Deion on Curfews, Sorsby Scandal, and a Monster Energy Megadeal
Las Vegas hosted Big 12 Football Media Days this week, delivering drama and spectacle in equal measure. Colorado’s Deion Sanders drew the biggest crowd, quipping that he’s put “the coaches on curfew, not the kids” — a sly dig at his peers. The headlining controversy belonged to Texas Tech, where quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s gambling situation cast a shadow over the Red Raiders’ championship-defense campaign. The conference unveiled a $20 million-per-year entitlement deal with Monster Energy. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire’s “spot the ball, man” barb at officiating provided levity amid an otherwise consequential gathering of coaches, new and veteran alike.
James Franklin Heads Into Virginia Tech Camp ‘Celebrated, Not Tolerated’
James Franklin is heading into his first training camp at Virginia Tech with a clear message from his new athletic director: here, he’s celebrated — not merely tolerated. AD Whit Babcock made the distinction explicit when discussing his marquee hire, and Franklin is embracing his fresh start after Penn State parted ways with him mid-season in 2025. His 11-season run in Happy Valley produced a 104-45 record, six 10-win campaigns, a 2022 Rose Bowl victory, and a 2024 national semifinal appearance, but a 0-3 Big Ten start proved fatal. Notably, former Hokies head coach Brent Pry stayed on as Virginia Tech’s defensive coordinator.
ESPN FPI Crowns Ohio State Preseason No. 1 With 17% Title-Game Odds
ESPN’s Football Power Index has Ohio State atop its 2026 preseason rankings, giving the Buckeyes a 17.1% chance of winning the national championship — the highest of any team. Ohio State returns quarterback Julian Sayin, receiver Jeremiah Smith, and running back Bo Jackson for what projects as one of the nation’s best offenses. Texas (13.2%) and Notre Dame (10.5%) round out the trio of teams above 10%, followed by Oregon and Georgia. Defending champion Indiana checks in at No. 6 at 6.6% — remarkable for a program once synonymous with losing. The SEC boasts 12 of the Top 25 teams; the Big Ten claims seven.
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Court Grants Eligibility Reprieve to 15 Athletes; NCAA Vows Immediate Fight
An Ohio federal court this week granted a preliminary injunction to 15 athletes challenging the NCAA’s age-based eligibility model, which currently grants five years of competition beginning at a player’s 19th birthday or high school graduation, whichever comes first. The plaintiffs argue the rule unfairly restricts their competitive years. The NCAA called the ruling “wrong” and vowed to seek an immediate stay, but if upheld, the decision could expand eligibility windows well beyond current norms and potentially disrupt transfer timing rules. Programs across the sport are watching closely as yet another legal battle reshapes college football’s governance landscape.
Notre Dame Goes Full Lambeau: Shamrock Series Kits Honor Green Bay’s Acme Packers Era
Notre Dame unveiled the uniforms for its Week 1 Shamrock Series game against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, and the design leans fully into Green Bay lore. The Fighting Irish will wear deep-navy jerseys inspired by the 1920s “Acme Packers,” with numbering styled after Heisman winner Paul Hornung’s classic look and 11 golden shamrocks adorning the uniform. A patch celebrating America’s 250th anniversary adds a second layer of meaning. The neutral-site opener at one of football’s most storied venues sets the stage for a Notre Dame program Marcus Freeman has positioned as a genuine Top-3 CFP contender entering 2026.
ESPN FPI Preseason Top 10
1. Ohio State (17.1%)
2. Texas (13.2%)
3. Notre Dame (10.5%)
4. Oregon (9.8%)
5. Georgia (9.0%)
6. Indiana ▲ (6.6%)
7. Miami (FL) (5.4%)
8. Alabama (3.7%)
9. Texas Tech (3.7%)
10. LSU (3.5%)
Championship win probability • Source: ESPN FPI
Preseason Conference Favorites
SEC
Texas ‧ Georgia ‧ Alabama ‧ LSU
Big Ten
Ohio State ‧ Oregon ‧ Indiana ▲
Big 12
Texas Tech (defending champs)
ACC / Ind
Miami (FL) ‧ Notre Dame
Curated by JD · samwise.agency