NCAA Football 2026

[Gaolee]

Here we are again. Season just over and there is already a top 25 out.

Indiana is ranked no. 1. How creative.

Washington is ranked 18. I didn't expect that at all.

I don't know if 1AA or FCS or whatever it is called now has rankings. Yale made the playoffs. They even made it to the second round and didn't go down without scrapping hard for an unlikely win. I have two minds about that. It is great that an Ivy team would do well. It is also a bit of a concern that somebody, somewhere, will take it too seriously and try to make an Ivy school into a football powerhouse with all the issues and trappings that go with it. The unpredictability of the Ivies is a big part of their charm. If there is a midterm at a critical point, even Columbia can win a game here or there.

On to this year. This thread will be about the portal, then dormant until after most of baseball. At least for me.

 

[MJ5150]

I can't quite get behind Sorsby on this one:

NCAA denies reinstatement for QB Sorsby; Texas Tech to appeal

The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's request for reinstatement, putting his lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an injunction for his eligibility for the 2026 season into further focus.

www.espn.com

I find it a bummer the school president is pitching the 'what about the children?' line. Lame.

-Mike

 

[MonetBass]

I can't quite get behind Sorsby on this one:

NCAA denies reinstatement for QB Sorsby; Texas Tech to appeal

The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's request for reinstatement, putting his lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an injunction for his eligibility for the 2026 season into further focus.

www.espn.com

I find it a bummer the school president is pitching the 'what about the children?' line. Lame.

-Mike

Yep. If you knowingly break the rules, you must pay the penalty.

 

[gln1955]

I can't quite get behind Sorsby on this one:

NCAA denies reinstatement for QB Sorsby; Texas Tech to appeal

The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's request for reinstatement, putting his lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an injunction for his eligibility for the 2026 season into further focus.

www.espn.com

I find it a bummer the school president is pitching the 'what about the children?' line. Lame.

-Mike

I can understand and somewhat sympathize with a gambling addiction. I know a few people who fit that scenario. What I can't understand is why he bet on his own team's games, something that is clearly a death sentence NCAA violation. Oh well...

On the other hand, it'a disingenuous of the NCAA to ban all gambling, including sports a student athlete has no connection with, while the college and pro sports machine pushes gambling by the public on all fronts.

 

[MJ5150]

The LSU AD will have to get used to this, cleaning up after loudmouth Lane.....

LSU AD Verge Ausberry stresses SEC unity in meeting with coaches

In reaction to the controversial comments made recently by his head coach, Lane Kiffin, first-year LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry told ESPN on Thursday that he has spoken with his coaches about the importance of unity within the SEC.

www.espn.com

-Mike

 

[MJ5150]

There's another conversation to be had about the NCAA's relationship with betting in general. I find that troubling.
In this case I find it unfortunate this kid wants to appeal the discipline he knew was coming when he got caught and play the addiction card to get away with it. We all know you're sorry and you won't do it again. That's good. Congratulations on getting a grip on your addiction, that's progress, but there's still discipline for the errors, and these specific egregious ones. We can't just ignore that now that you feel better about yourself.

-Mike

 

[Gaolee]

There's some proposed legislation somewhere that the Big Ten and SEC are absolutely opposed to. I don't know what the legislation is, but if the Big Ten and SEC don't like it, then it's probably worth supporting.

 

[MJ5150]

Kirby Smart went out and said the SEC will leave the NCAA altogether if they don't get what they want.
Source: With expansion argument brewing, Smart hints at SEC secession

-Mike

 

[MonetBass]

I can't quite get behind Sorsby on this one:

NCAA denies reinstatement for QB Sorsby; Texas Tech to appeal

The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's request for reinstatement, putting his lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an injunction for his eligibility for the 2026 season into further focus.

www.espn.com

I find it a bummer the school president is pitching the 'what about the children?' line. Lame.

-Mike

Another good article regarding Sorsby and betting in college athletics.
Wetzel: Judge should slam the door on Texas Tech QB Sorsby

 

[SoonerBill]

Kirby Smart went out and said the SEC will leave the NCAA altogether if they don't get what they want.
Source: With expansion argument brewing, Smart hints at SEC secession

-Mike

I hate that two conferences each have such power over the NCAA. But I believe the SEC and Big10 do. If either did leave the NCAA wouldn't be much. Also. I'm convinced that if one of those conferences left the other would join them.

 

[gln1955]

I can't quite get behind Sorsby on this one:

NCAA denies reinstatement for QB Sorsby; Texas Tech to appeal

The NCAA has denied Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's request for reinstatement, putting his lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an injunction for his eligibility for the 2026 season into further focus.

www.espn.com

I find it a bummer the school president is pitching the 'what about the children?' line. Lame.

-Mike

Brendan Sorsby granted injunction vs. NCAA, eligible to play in 2026

Welp, I guess we can finally discard the idea that there are any rules in college sports, even when the NCAA tries.

 

[MonetBass]

Brendan Sorsby granted injunction vs. NCAA, eligible to play in 2026

Welp, I guess we can finally discard the idea that there are any rules in college sports, even when the NCAA tries.

The NCAA has officially lost its power due to the precedent this sets.

 

[MJ5150]

Brendan Sorsby granted injunction vs. NCAA, eligible to play in 2026

Welp, I guess we can finally discard the idea that there are any rules in college sports, even when the NCAA tries.

Thinking back on it now, the NCAA had no chance standing up to the folks running the gambling rackets. I think they were behind this as much as this bit about the mental distress.

-Mike

 

[MonetBass]

Oklahoma State plays Tech in Stillwater this season, and I guarantee Sorsby will get showered with boos every time he takes the field during that game.

 

[MJ5150]

Oklahoma State plays Tech in Stillwater this season, and I guarantee Sorsby will get showered with boos every time he takes the field during that game.

I'm sure he's willing to place a wager with you on that, along with the over/under on the game.

-Mike

 

[WG Plum]

I think I would be perfectly content watching the Ivy League games, but that's not possible. En tification is seems to have become nearly universal.

 

[MJ5150]

I think I would be perfectly content watching the Ivy League games, but that's not possible. En tification is seems to have become nearly universal.

There's a few each year in ESPN, but I think you have to have one of their extended packages, not just regular ESPN.
If you don't mind listening, the radio broadcasts stream online. Football is though a sport I feel is a little better seeing than just hearing.

-Mike

 

[gln1955]

I think I would be perfectly content watching the Ivy League games, but that's not possible. En tification is seems to have become nearly universal.

I have family connections to a few of the MAC teams. It's still entertaining football, even when all of their best players get stolen by the P4.

 

[gln1955]

The NCAA has officially lost its power due to the precedent this sets.

Quite. The NFL is able to enforce their conduct rules when they choose, but the NCAA will not be able to do anything with their pro players.

 

[MonetBass]

The Big 12 (and possibly other schools) are discussing not playing Texas Tech this year as a reaction to the ruling.
College sports' brass enraged by Texas judge's decision

"This is not about Texas Tech. It's about protecting our own locker room. We cannot in good conscience put our student-athletes on a field where the competitive integrity of the contest is compromised and overridden by the courts. If a state court wants to dictate eligibility rules, they can play themselves." -- Georgia AD Josh Brooks