Samwise College Football Newsletter
Friday, August 7, 2026
CFP: Top 3 Seeds Can Now Select Their Bowl Path
The College Football Playoff announced Thursday that the top three seeds in the 12-team bracket can select their preferred bowl path — a departure from the traditional geographic tie-in system that governed postseason placement in previous years. Under the new format, the No. 1 seed picks first from available quarterfinal and semifinal host sites, followed by the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in order. The change gives the highest-ranked programs direct input over their postseason destinations and eliminates automatic pairings that have historically placed conference champions in specific bowl games each December.
CFP 2026 Rankings Reveal Schedule: First Poll November 3, Selection Sunday December 6
The College Football Playoff released the 2026 rankings reveal schedule on Thursday, confirming that the first CFP Top 25 will debut November 3. Rankings will be released weekly through the regular season, culminating on December 6 — Selection Sunday — when the full 12-team bracket will be formally set. The announcement gives programs, coaches, and fans a definitive calendar for when CFP standings will begin to officially influence the national conversation. Current positioning is determined only by the preseason polls; the Coaches Poll, released earlier this week, has Ohio State atop the preseason rankings.
Sources: Saturday Down South
Sporting News Preseason All-Americans: Texas Leads with Six, Arch Manning Lands on Second Team
The Sporting News unveiled its 2026 preseason All-American teams on Thursday with Texas leading all programs with six total selections. Despite the Longhorns’ depth, junior quarterback Arch Manning received only a second-team designation — bumped in favor of Ole Miss senior Trinidad Chambliss, who finished second nationally with 4,464 total yards in 2025 while leading the Rebels to the CFP semifinals. The SEC dominated with 23 combined selections, compared to 14 for the Big Ten. Notable first-team picks include Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, Texas EDGE Colin Simmons, and Indiana offensive tackle Carter Smith.
Former FSU QB Thomas Castellanos Files Suit Against NCAA for Transfer Portal Access
Former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos is filing suit against the NCAA to secure access to the transfer portal after going undrafted in April’s NFL Draft, his agent Joe Hernandez told On3. A class-wide injunction from Judge Charlotte Sweeney’s Colorado ruling previously granted Castellanos a fifth year of eligibility, but the court clarified that ruling does not open the transfer portal — prompting Castellanos to pursue separate legal action in Texas. The dual-threat signal caller threw for 2,760 yards and 15 touchdowns at FSU in 2025, adding 557 rushing yards and nine scores, and is drawing preliminary interest from multiple programs.
Indiana EDGE Kellan Wyatt Returning for Fifth Season After Court Ruling
Indiana pass rusher Kellan Wyatt is set to return to the Hoosiers for a fifth season following a court ruling on eligibility, On3 reported Thursday. Wyatt recorded 27 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks across seven games during Indiana’s national championship season in 2025, adding pass-rush depth to the defending champions’ roster heading into 2026. The ruling also enables defensive lineman Stephen Daley to return to the program. The court’s order clarified that players who had already transferred are not permitted to re-enter the portal under the same eligibility decision.
Cole Hutson Officially Rejoins Texas Roster After Reaching Agreement with NCAA
Texas offensive lineman Cole Hutson has officially rejoined the Longhorns roster after reaching an agreement with the NCAA regarding his eligibility, On3 reported Thursday. Hutson appeared in 48 games and made 23 starts during his time at Texas from 2022 through 2025 before going undrafted in April’s NFL Draft. Head coach Steve Sarkisian had previously confirmed he was monitoring the situation. Hutson’s return adds experienced depth to the Longhorns’ offensive line, with Texas ranked No. 4 in the preseason Coaches Poll and entering the 2026 season among the top national title contenders.
Ryan Day Addresses NIL Vehicle Spending, Player Discipline at Ohio State Fall Camp
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day addressed NIL spending and player responsibility Thursday at fall camp, centering his message on a driving metaphor and urging his players to keep their foot off the gas when it comes to expensive vehicle purchases. Day expressed hope that his players will follow the example he set. The Buckeyes open 2026 as the No. 1 team in the preseason Coaches Poll with receiver Jeremiah Smith — named a first-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News this week — returning as the program’s marquee offensive weapon heading into the regular season.
New Purdue AD Tommy McClelland Takes Shot at Defending-Champion Indiana: ‘Go to Indiana’
Newly hired Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland drew immediate attention Thursday at his introductory press conference by taking a direct shot at neighboring rival Indiana. “If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana,” McClelland told the audience — a statement that landed awkwardly given that Indiana is the reigning national football champion after a perfect 16-0 season in 2025, during which the Hoosiers defeated Purdue 56-3. McClelland, who previously served as athletic director at Rice University, said his mission is to build a championship culture at Purdue. The two programs meet November 28.
Preseason Coaches Poll Top 7
AP Preseason Poll releases August 17
1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Notre Dame
6. Indiana
7. Miami
CFP Rankings & Schedule
CFP Rankings
First poll: November 3 · Selection Sunday: December 6
Key Dates
FBS Kickoff Weekend: August 29
AP Preseason Poll: August 17
Conference standings update weekly once season begins
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