STATES POUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS INTO COLLEGE SPORTS AS ATHLETE PAY, SOARING COSTS SQUEEZE BUDGETS
Win or lose, the North Carolina Tar Heels already will be in elite company when they kick off the college football season against Texas Christian University in a game played in Dublin. They will be among a small but growing number of athletic programs receiving taxpayer funding from their home states.
With universities competing to pay athletes millions of dollars, some states now are propping up their strained sports budgets in ways not previously seen. The state dollars aren’t going directly to star athletes. But by funding facilities and administrative costs normally borne by the schools, states are freeing universities to use their own dollars for other purposes.
The athletics program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for the first time, is receiving $3 million earmarked from state sports betting taxes. Wisconsin lawmakers approved $15 million for athletic costs at the University of Wisconsin. And Connecticut and Louisiana also are using tax dollars to support college athletics. Even more states have considered it.
Sports business analysts see an emerging trend.
“Once one state provides that kind of assistance, schools in competing states can argue that they are being placed at a competitive disadvantage, which could create additional pressure on legislatures to respond,” said Daniel McIntosh, faculty director of the sports business program at Arizona State University.
Legal cases have accelerated spending on college athletes
NCAA rules long barred college athletes from getting paid by schools and boosters. But under pressure from lawsuits and states, the NCAA cleared the way in 2021 for athletes to receive money from private entities for the use of their name, image or likeness (NIL). Then a legal settlement last year allowed higher education institutions to directly pay athletes a total of about $20.5 million annually — on top of any scholarships and other NIL deals they receive.
That cap rose to $21.3 million for this school year, and is set to rise again the following year.
Many mid-level programs cannot afford that much. But almost all NCAA Division I athletic programs are trying to generate more money to pay athletes in a bid to remain competitive with their peers. At the same time, schools have been incurring greater costs for facilities, coaches’ salaries and travel amid conference realignments that discarded old geographic-based rivalries.
Over the past four years, athletic operating expenses at public Division I institutions shot up by nearly a third — notably outpacing revenue and running up deficits, according to an Associated Press analysis using the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database.
That cap rose to $21.3 million for this school year, and is set to rise again the following year.
Many mid-level programs cannot afford that much. But almost all NCAA Division I athletic programs are trying to generate more money to pay athletes in a bid to remain competitive with their peers. At the same time, schools have been incurring greater costs for facilities, coaches’ salaries and travel amid conference realignments that discarded old geographic-based rivalries.
Over the past four years, athletic operating expenses at public Division I institutions shot up by nearly a third — notably outpacing revenue and running up deficits, according to an Associated Press analysis using the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database.
But the legislation contains no provision restraining increases in state and institutional funding for athletics, said Amy Privette Perko, CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Without some restraint on the underlying spending competition, additional public funding could simply finance the next stage of the arms race,” McIntosh said.
States are routing money to schools in creative ways
When North Carolina launched online sports wagering in 2024, it earmarked part of the tax revenue for athletic departments at 13 public universities. But the two largest institutions — the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University — were excluded.
That changed in July under a new state budget that raises the sports betting tax. Those two schools now are projected to receive $3 million each this year and $5.8 million next year.
In the meantime, Louisiana also hiked its sports wagering tax and earmarked about $2.2 million to each of its 11 public universities in conferences with Division I football programs.
Seeking to drum up athletic revenue, Connecticut lawmakers authorized the University of Connecticut to issue vouchers for state tax credits equal to half the amount of donations, sponsorships and licensing endorsements. The program generated $1.7 million in its first four months, according to a university report.
New Jersey’s new budget allots $5 million for “events attraction and marketing” at Rutgers’ flagship campus. A university spokesperson declined to say if the money would be used for athletic programs.
Though not providing new state money, the governing board for Florida’s universities last year authorized institutions to transfer up to $22.5 million to athletics. Florida State University did so almost immediately, and other schools have since followed.
Lawmaker says a bad football team is bad for the state
The Wisconsin budget provides $14.6 million for athletic facility debt payments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and $200,000 each for the Milwaukee and Green Bay campuses.
“None of that state funds technically would go toward student athletes,” said Republican state Rep. Alex Dallman, who sponsored the legislation.
But with the state covering facility debt, the university could use its own funds “for other things, such as NIL, or just trying to compete,” said Dallman, who typically attends a couple Wisconsin football games each year.
“Having a bad football team, having uncompetitive college sports in general, would not be beneficial to our state, both culturally or economically,” Dallman said. “So we decided as a state we’d help out.”
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SEC DESPERATE TO END 3-YEAR CHAMPIONSHIP DROUGHT. WILL ALABAMA, GEORGIA, LSU OR TEXAS COME THROUGH?
Blame Alabama and Georgia. Point fingers at Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, too.
The Southeastern Conference, once the most dominant league in the land, lost its stranglehold on college football over the last three years. The organization that boasts a combined 19 national championships since 1990 hasn’t even made the title game since Georgia won it all in back-to-back years to close out the 2021-22 seasons.
It’s a drought the league desperately would like to end this season. But the path back to the top could be harder with the addition of a ninth conference game. Sure, it provides teams with an extra chance to prove they belong in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
It’s also another potential loss on postseason resumes.
“It creates, without question, the most demanding sets of football schedules in all of college football,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said last month. “No one has created the kind of weekly competition that exists in the Southeastern Conference. It’s competition that our fans will experience every week because we believe we’re the best conference in college football.”
The last three CFPs would say otherwise, especially when recalling no-shows by Alabama last year (against Indiana) and Tennessee (against Ohio State) the year before. The Big Ten has won three straight national titles.
The SEC is a combined 5-8 in the last three playoffs, with two of those victories coming against other league opponents.
SEC coaches were initially divided on a nine-game league slate but eventually agreed under the guise that the CFP would expand to 16 or 24 teams. It stayed at 12, and now league coaches are stuck with more daunting schedules and the same access to the lucrative postseason tournament.
“Like anything in this world, if you want to be really good at something, you got to take risk,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “There’s calculated risks involved in life that you have to take. … Is the juice worth the squeeze or not?”
The league will have a better idea in four months.
Ultimately, though, SEC success will be decided in the CFP. After all, the league went 54-8 against non-conference opponents in the regular season last year — including winning records against the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big 12 and the Big Ten — but ended up again watching the title game from afar.
Simply put, the SEC has been good but not great in recent years. Is the league lagging behind? Not even close. But the transfer portal and the ability to compensate players through revenue sharing as well as name, image and likeness deals have clearly minimized advantages the league enjoyed for decades.
“I think it’s great for the sport,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I think having everybody competitive, more guys can be invited to the party and get to the party, mainly through the portal in a lot of ways. … It’s not a one-team dominant program. It’s really everybody.”
Chambliss, Manning and Stewart bring star power to the SEC
The SEC has plenty of star power, which provides hope of ending the Big Ten’s reign. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Texas quarterback Arch Manning and South Carolina stars LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart are just a few of the guys who could make a difference.
Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, Texas receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, Georgia defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV, and Auburn linebacker Xavier Atkins also are ones to watch.
Six new head coaches, including one familiar face, roam the sidelines
The league has six new coaches in 2026, the largest turnover in league history. Arkansas (Ryan Silverfield), Auburn (Alex Golesh), Florida (Jon Sumrall), Kentucky (Will Stein), LSU (Lane Kiffin) and Ole Miss ( Pete Golding ) have new guys in charge.
None of the changes caused as much of a stir as Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU. But all of them should provide compelling storylines.
Georgia, Texas, Alabama and LSU are favored to win the league
This is the first season since 2015 that no SEC team received a first-place vote in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. It’s an indication of how much parity there is in the league.
Nonetheless, Georgia (plus-280) and Texas (plus-300) are the betting favorites to win the SEC. Alabama (plus-850) and LSU (plus-850) are next, followed by Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss at plus-1000.
Looking for a dark horse? Try Tennessee at plus-1800.
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VENABLES AGREES TO 2-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION AFTER LEADING OKLAHOMA TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables agreed Thursday to a two-year contract extension, after leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoff last season.
The deal adds two years to Venables’ previous contract and runs through Jan. 31, 2032. The extension, announced by athletics director Roger Denny, is pending approval by the OU Board of Regents, which meets next month.
“Since I arrived at Oklahoma, I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Coach Venables, his staff and our student-athletes,” said Denny, who started as OU’s AD in February. “It didn’t take long to see how well suited he is to lead Oklahoma Football. Coach Venables is elite at building culture — not just in the locker room, but throughout the entire program. Our players are drawn to him. They trust him, they believe in him and he has a unique ability to connect with young men and bring out the best in them.
“What I hope this extension says to our players is that in an environment that changes every day, we’re investing in stability for our program. Amidst the disruption of college sports, Oklahoma will be a place where student-athletes will find consistency.”
Venables, 55, is entering his fifth season as Oklahoma’s head coach. He led the Sooners to a 10-3 record and their first College Football Playoff appearance since 2019. They were the No. 8 seed and hosted a first-round game, which they lost to Alabama, 34-24. It marked OU’s second 10-win regular season under Venables, who also won 10 games in 2023, and the 2026 team is ranked No. 10 in the AP Top 25.
Oklahoma’s 2025 defense, under the direction of Venables as play-caller, was one of the nation’s best. The Sooners ranked sixth in the country in yards allowed per game (272.5) and seventh in points allowed per outing (15.5). They also led the nation in tackles for loss per game (9.4) and sacks per contest (3.5), and paced the SEC in seven defensive categories.
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NO. 10 OKLAHOMA HAS ANOTHER STOUT DEFENSE AND ITS QB BACK. THE RUN GAME IS A QUESTION MARK
No. 10 Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — 2025 record: 10-3
Expectations
The Sooners could challenge for the national championship if they can duplicate their dominance on defense, run the ball more effectively and survive a brutal stretch of early-season games on the road. Oklahoma reached the College Football Playoff last season only to lose in the first round to Alabama after blowing a 17-0 lead.
Defensive end Taylor Wein and linebackers Owen Heinecke and Kip Lewis lead a unit that figures to be solid up the middle once again with former five-star recruit David Stone stepping into a bigger role at tackle.
Starting quarterback John Mateer, leading receiver Isaiah Sategna and four starting offensive linemen return along with Lou Groza Award winner Tate Sandell, who made eight of nine kicks from 50-plus yards. For the Sooners to take the next step they’ll need to average more than 3.54 yards per carry to take some of the pressure off Mateer, the team’s second leading rusher who played through injury for much of the season.
Coach Brent Venables brought in Oakland Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough and former NFL All-Pro tight end Jason Witten to help turn things around with a host of ranked teams on the schedule.
Strengths included the LB corps
Oklahoma gets a big boost with the return of Mateer and Lewis.
Matter passed for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 431 yards and eight scores. A hand injury early in the season derailed momentum that had him among the favorites for the Heisman Trophy. Lewis led one of the nation’s best defensive units with 76 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. He and Heinecke (74 tackles, including 12 for a loss) should be among the top LB duos in the country.
Wein is also poised for a big season after seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss in eight starts to lead the team. The secondary is another area of strength with the return of playmakers Eli Bowen and Peyton Bowen and rising cover corner Courtland Guillory.
Weaknesses center around running game
Last season, Oklahoma finished 13th in the 16-team Southeastern Conference in rushing with an average of 118.5 yards per game. RBs struggled to create “explosive runs” that went for 12 yards or more, according to Witten, who seems intent on having the tight ends do more to help.
For the first time since 2020 someone other than DeMarco Murray is coaching the running backs. McCullough is looking for yards after contact from a position group that includes Tory Blaylock, the team’s leading rusher a season ago with 480 yards. McCullough has coached the likes of Ashton Jeanty in Las Vegas and Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, running backs who are tough to bring down at the point of contact.
New faces
TE Hayden Hansen (transfer from Florida), LB Cole Sullivan (transfer from Michigan), WR Parker Livingston (Transfer from Texas), WR Trell Harris (transfer from Virginia), TE Rocky Beers (transfer from Colorado State).
Key losses
DE R Mason Thomas (NFL), DT Gracen Halton (NFL), LB Kobie McKinzie (transferred to Northwestern), G Febechi Nwaiwu (NFL), WR Deion Burks (NFL).
Biggest games for the Sooners
At Michigan (Sept. 12), at Georgia (Sept. 26), vs. Texas in Dallas (Oct. 10), vs. Ole Miss (Nov. 14), vs. Texas A&M (Nov. 21).
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OKLAHOMA COACH BRETT VENABLES AGREES TO NEW 6-YEAR, $69M DEAL
Coming off a College Football Playoff appearance last season, Oklahoma announced a new six-year contract for football coach Brett Venables on Thursday, pending approval by Oklahoma’s Board of Regents.
The university didn’t disclose financial details. The deal adds two years to Venables’ existing contract and will run through Jan. 31, 2032. ESPN reported that he will make an average of $10.5 million per year, a $2 million-per-year raise from the $8.5 million average salary on the six-year contract extension he signed ahead of the 2024 season.
“It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma and to represent a place with such a proud tradition, an incredibly passionate and loyal fan base and expectations that match our own,” Venables said in a press release.
“This opportunity and commitment reflect so many people. None of it would be possible without the tremendous investment, hard work and dedication of our players, coaches and staff. I’m incredibly thankful for each of them and for the belief they have in what we are building together.
“Most importantly, my family and I love Oklahoma. This is our home, and we are deeply grateful for the way the Oklahoma family has embraced and supported us.”
Venables, 55, is entering his fifth season leading the Sooners after previously serving as their defensive coordinator from 1999-2011. He has a 32-20 record at Oklahoma, including a 16-10 (8-8 Southeastern Conference) mark since the school joined the SEC ahead of the 2024 season.
Last year’s team finished the regular season 10-2 (6-2 SEC) and earned the No. 8 seed in the College Football Playoff before losing a home first-round matchup 34-24 to No. 9 Alabama.
The Sooners open the 2026 season against UTEP on Sept. 4 as the No. 10 team in the preseason AP poll.
“Since I arrived at Oklahoma, I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Coach Venables, his staff and our student-athletes,” vice president and director of athletics Roger Denny, who took the job in February, said in a press release. “It didn’t take long to see how well suited he is to lead Oklahoma Football. Coach Venables is elite at building culture — not just in the locker room, but throughout the entire program. Our players are drawn to him. They trust him, they believe in him and he has a unique ability to connect with young men and bring out the best in them.
“What I hope this extension says to our players is that in an environment that changes every day, we’re investing in stability for our program. Amidst the disruption of college sports, Oklahoma will be a place where student-athletes will find consistency.”
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NO. 8 TEXAS A&M EYES A BIGGER PLAYOFF FINISH WITH QB MARCEL REED BACK BEHIND A REBUILT LINE
No. 8 Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — 2025 record: 11-2
Expectations
Texas A&M made the College Football Playoff for the first time last year in coach Mike Elko’s second season and lost 10-3 in the first round to Miami. There is plenty of optimism the Aggies chase their first national title since 1939 despite a challenging schedule.
Quarterback Marcel Reed is ack for his third season as starter to lead an offense that also returns receiver Mario Craver and running back Rueben Owens II. The addition of big receiver Isaiah Horton, a transfer from Alabama, should help make up for the loss of K.C. Concepcion to the NFL.
Reed threw for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding six rushing scores last season but will need to limit his turnovers after throwing a career-high 12 interceptions, including two apiece in Texas A&M’s two losses.
The defense lost consensus All-American defensive end Cashius Howell but returns veteran safety Dalton Brooks and defensive tackle DJ Hicks and added pass rusher Anto Saka, who had 12 sacks in three seasons at Northwestern.
The Aggies have new coordinators on offense (Holmon Wiggins) and defense (Lyle Hemphill), but they’ve both been with the program after Elko promoted from within.
Strengths including QB, RBs and WRs
Reed’s experience and leadership should provide a steady presence on a team that will have plenty of new faces. Owens is back after running for 639 yards and five touchdowns last season and the Aggies also return Jamarion Morrow, who showed promise in limited work last year.
Craver was second on the team with 919 yards receiving last year and Elko expects another big season from him.
“He’s one of the more explosive, dynamic slot receivers I’ve been able to be around,” Elko said. “I think he does a really, really good job of creating separation.”
Playing alongside him again will be Ashton Bethel-Roman, who had 503 yards receiving and five scores on just 24 catches in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Horton comes to College Station after he had 511 yards receiving and eight scores for Alabama last season.
Weaknesses include offensive line
The biggest question mark on the team is a retooled offensive line after four of last year’s five starters moved on. The only returnee is center Mark Nabou Jr., who will have to help the newcomers mesh quickly.
The good news is that the Elko replaced the departures with a bevy of experienced transfers, led by RT Wilkin Formby, who played 27 games for Alabama. Other new additions are LT Tyree Adams (LSU), RG Trovon Baugh (South Carolina) and LG Coen Echols (LSU).
New faces
DE Anto Saka (transfer from Northwestern), OT Wilkin Formby (transfer from Alabama), CB Brandon Arrington (freshman), DL Bryce Perry-White (freshman), WR Isaiah Horton (transfer from Alabama).
Key losses
DE Cashius Howell (NFL), WR K.C. Concepcion (NFL), LT Trey Zuhn III (NFL), DT Albert Regis (NFL), LG Chase Bisontis (NFL).
Biggest games for the Aggies
At No. 11 LSU (Sept. 26), at No. 13 Alabama (Oct. 24), vs. No. 5 Texas (Nov. 27).
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CHAMBLISS, LACY ARE BACK TO LEAD A TALENTED ROSTER FOR NO. 9 MISSISSIPPI WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS
No. 9 Mississippi
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — 2005 record: 13-2
Expectations
A first-year coach, revamped staff, nearly 40 new players and a difficult schedule have done little to dampen enthusiasm and expectations surrounding No. 9 Ole Miss.
With Pete Golding stepping up to the head coach role from Lane Kiffin prior to the 2025 College Football Playoff, the Rebels advanced to the semifinals with two wins, including a Sugar Bowl championship to cap a 13-2 season and a No. 3 finish in the final AP poll.
More importantly, the star power of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewon Lacy and receiver Deuce Alexander return after debut seasons that established them as elite players.
While there’s an accelerated pace to fitting together transfers and freshmen into depth charts, Golding asserts the Rebels have enough ability and versatility to field another contender. The Rebels have excelled in finding unheralded transfers from non-power programs –- such as Chambliss from Division II Ferris State –- and developing them into high-profile players.
Whether they jell quickly enough this year to perform in the clutch remains to be seen. The Rebels went 6-2 last year in games decided by eight or fewer points.
“What I don’t know yet is how we will respond to adversity,” Golding said. “Doesn’t matter how talented you are. How will we do when we get hit in the mouth? We’re preparing but you don’t know until it happens.”
The Rebels open the season in Nashville on Sept. 6 against No. 24 Louisville.
Strengths are spread across most position groups
Chambliss and Lacey benefit from an interior line that returns starters in Brycen Sanders at center with guards Delano Townsend and Patrick Kudas.
Less heralded are the defense and special teams, but Ole Miss has highly-regarded players on both units. Will Echoles and Kam Franklin combined for 10 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. Transfer tackle Jaheim Otis had 13 career starts at Alabama.
Senior linebacker Suntarine Perkins has been a big-play specialist since his freshman campaign and is coming off a season with 12 quarterback hurries, 12 1/2 tackles for loss, 4 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Antonio Kite and Jaylon Braxton are established cornerbacks. Two transfers with top credentials are Edwin Joseph (Florida State) and Jay Crawford (Auburn).
Weaknesses could include depth in several areas
The Rebels need immediate production from a mostly unproven wide receiver corps. Graduation and transfer losses included six receivers, 185 receptions and 19 touchdowns.
Stabilizing both offensive tackle slots that were lost to graduation has been a fall practice priority. Holdovers Terez Davis and Connor Howes join transfers Tommy Kinsler IV (Miami),Enoch Wangoy (Florida) and Carius Curne (LSU) as the top contenders for the two starting spots.
Last season, a lack of overall depth led to late game struggles against the best opponents. A fall practice priority is to build depth.
New faces
DB Jay Crawford (Auburn), RB Makhi Frazier (Michigan State), LB Luke Ferrelli (Cal), LB Keaton Thomas (Baylor) and edge rusher Jonathan Maldonado (Nevada), a former high school quarterback.
Key losses
Kiffin, who also took eight coaches and support staff to LSU, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. and linebacker coach Chris Kiffin. WR De’Zhaun Stribling (NFL), QB Austin Simmons (Missouri), WR Caden Lee (Missouri), edge Prince Umanimielen (LSU), WR Winston Watkins (LSU) and LB T.J. Dottery (LSU).
Biggest games for the Rebels
vs. No. 11 LSU. (Sept. 19), at No. 5 Texas (Oct. 24), vs. No. 3 Georgia (Nov. 7) at No. 10 Oklahoma (Nov. 14).
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JOSH HEUPEL HOPING HIS ROCKY TOP RESET HELPS NO. 20 TENNESSEE MEET HIGH EXPECTATIONS
No. 20 Tennessee
2025 record: 8-5
Expectations
Josh Heupel didn’t wait for Tennessee’s underwhelming season to end with another disappointing loss in a bowl game to start making changes. Now it’s time to see if they work at a program where expectations are as high as the waiting list for season tickets.
Heupel fired his defensive coordinator after an ugly home loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt and replaced him with Jim Knowles, the guy whose Ohio State defense smothered Tennessee in the 2024 College Football Playoff. Hours after the national championship game, Heupel also hired Derek Owings away from Indiana as his new strength coach.
Offense isn’t a problem for Tennessee, and the Vols ranked sixth nationally scoring 39.8 points a game last season. Yet Heupel needs another new starting quarterback.
George MacIntyre, who threw nine passes as a freshman last season, is a slendert 6-foot-6 and 208 pounds. Faizon Brandon was the No. 3 ranked quarterback for 2026 by 247Sports who got to campus in January. Brandon also has the size at 6-4 and 225 pounds, but he just turned 18 in June.
“Somebody will go out there and earn it,” Heupel said.
The clock is ticking with the season opener Sept. 5 against Furman.
Strengths mean the Vols will lean heavily on the run
The Vols have five starters back on the offensive line led by guard Wendell Moe Jr. David Sanders Jr. has switched from right tackle where he started six games as a freshman to left tackle, and Heupel also landed lineman Ory Williams from LSU and fifth-year guard Donovan Haslam from West Virginia through the transfer portal.
That experience on the offensive line will only help an offense that averaged 173.5 yards a game led by DeSean Bishop who ran for 1,076 with 16 touchdowns.
Whoever starts at quarterback should benefit from facing Knowles’ defense. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle compared that to grad school for quarterbacks facing an “elite schemer.” The quarterback also will benefit from having Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley leading a talented receiving corps.
Weaknesses could include spots on the defense
Learning Knowles’ defense traditionally has taken time at the coordinator’s previous stops. Heupel specifically made sure to bring in three assistant coaches along with players familiar with what Knowles wants. The Vols also lost their top edge rusher this offseason leaving them thin at that spot. Chaz Coleman, who followed Knowles from Penn State, was medically disqualified in June.
LB Arion Carter will miss the first two games suspended by the NCAA over an airplane ticket when testing out his NFL draft stock.
New faces
Brandon and WR TK Keys are freshmen who could play very early. Knowles and Owings have brought a boost to the coaching staff. Ryan Staub brings much-needed experience to the quarterbacks room from Colorado.
The portal also brought Williams, CB Kayin Lee from Auburn and a trio from Penn State led by DT Xavier Gilliam, LB Amare Campbell and S Dejuan Lane.
Key losses
Starting S Edrees Farooq (season-ending knee injury), OT Lance Heard (transferred to Kentucky), DE Jordan Ross (transferred to LSU), CB Rickey Gibson III (transferred to Texas A&M).
Biggest games for the Volunteers
Texas (Sept. 26), Auburn (Oct. 3), Alabama (Oct. 17). at Texas A&M (Nov. 14), LSU (Nov. 21), at Vanderbilt (Nov. 28).
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NO. 13 ALABAMA LOOKS TO RETURN TO THE CFP WITH A NEW STARTING QB, MACK OR RUSSELL
No. 13 Alabama
2025 record: 11-4
Expectations
The Crimson Tide look to make back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff under third-year coach Kalen DeBoer and potentially end the Southeastern Conference’s three-year national championship drought. The powerhouse league hasn’t even made the title game since Georgia won consecutive championships in 2022-23.
Alabama beat Oklahoma 34-24 in the opening round of the CFP last year and then got rolled by top-seeded and eventual national champ Indiana in the Rose Bowl, 38-3. DeBoer will turn to his third different starting QB in Tuscaloosa, with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell vying for the starting job. Whichever guy earns the spot will get to throw to one of the league’s top receivers, Ryan Coleman-Williams (1,654 yards receiving and 12 TDs in two seasons).
Strengths include a loaded secondary
All five starters in Alabama’s vaunted secondary played significant snaps last season, including CBs Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee Jr. as well as All-SEC SS Bray Hubbard. FS Keon Sabb and NB Red Morgan round out what should be the strength of the defense under coordinator Kane Wommack, who is back for a third year.
The Crimson Tide ranked third in the SEC in total defense and led the league in passing defense, averaging just under 170 yards a game through the air.
Weaknesses include inexperienced RB and QB play
The Tide want – and need – to run the ball better to have a chance in 2026. The team ranked 15th in the league in rushing offense in 2025, failing to find consistency all season and really struggling (48 total yards on the ground) in their final three games. The position group already is down one potential starter after AK Dear injured an ankle in camp, sidelining him for several games to start the regular season.
Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley saw action last year, but neither gained more than 300 yards. True freshmen Trae’shawn Brown and EJ Crowell should get chances to show what they can do. The ground game could be key to helping whoever starts at quarterback. Both Mark and Russell played sparingly behind Ty Simpson in 2025.
New faces
Edge Devan Thompkins (transferred from USC), DT Kedrick Bingley-Jones (transferred from Mississippi State), LB Caleb Woodson (transferred from Virginia Tech), C Racin Delgatty (transferred from Cal Poly), OL Jayvin Jones (transferred from Mississippi State).
Key losses
QB Simpson (NFL draft), WR Germie Bernard (NFL draft), LT Kadyn Proctor (NFL draft), LBs Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson.
Biggest games for the Crimson Tide
Vs. Florida State (Sept. 19), vs. Georgia (Oct. 10), at LSU (Nov. 7), vs. Auburn (Nov. 28).
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ARCH MANNING LEADS NO. 5 TEXAS AS LONGHORNS AIM TO RETURN TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
No. 5 Texas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — 2025 record: 10-3
Expectations
Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns fell flat least season. Early national title talk ended with two early losses and Texas missed the College Football Playoff.
To get back to the CFP, coach Steve Sarkisian has loaded up the offense around his star quarterback. Transfer wide receiver Cam Coleman was arguably the catch of the offseason and the offensive line is more experienced and should be improved. Manning overcame last season’s slow start with a strong finish and could reignite a Heisman Trophy campaign if Texas can notch big wins early.
Beware more early losses that could derail Texas again. Top-ranked Ohio State comes to Austin in Week 2, and the Longhorns open SEC play at Tennessee on Sept. 26.
Strengths include wide receiver and pass rush
Manning passed for 26 touchdowns last season and has a wealth of targets in 2026. None is bigger than Coleman, who was one of the most coveted players in the portal and gives Texas a new elite deep threat to pair with Ryan Wingo. Wingo led Texas last season with 834 yards, and seven touchdowns and the kind of burst that threatens TD every time he touches the ball. Texas hopes those two can replicate what Xavier Worthy and A.D. Mitchell did in 2023 when Texas made it to the CFP semifinals.
Texas also upgraded at running back with transfers Raleek Brown from Arizona State and Hollywood Smothers from North Carolina State.
Edge rusher Colin Simmons is an elite game wrecker. He has 21 career sacks and may be the best defensive player in the SEC. An interior defensive line anchored by Hero Kanu can be disruptive. Transfer linebacker Rasheem Biles from Pitt had 100 total tackles and 4.5 sacks last year.
Weaknesses include secondary inexperience
The Texas secondary needs a rebuild after losing cover corner Malik Muhammad and All-American safety Michael Taaffe to the NFL draft. Texas also would like to develop a pass rush threat on the opposite side of Simmons. Scheming this up is new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who came back to Texas from Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia. Muschamp was the Texas defensive coordinator from 2008-2010, a stint that included playing in the 2009 national title game.
New faces
WR Cam Coleman (transfer from Auburn), LB Rasheem Biles (transfer from Pitt), RB Hollywood Smothers (transfer from North Carolina State), RB Raleek Brown (transfer from Arizona State).
Key losses
WR Parker Livingstone (transferred to Oklahoma), LB Anthony Hill (NFL draft), DB Malik Muhammed (NFL draft), DB Michael Taaffe (NFL draft), RB Quintrevion Wisner (transferred to Florida State).
Biggest games for the Longhorns
Ohio State (Sept. 12), at Tennessee (Sept. 26), vs. Oklahoma (Oct. 10), at LSU (Nov. 14), at Texas A&M (Nov. 27).
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NO. 25 MISSOURI FACES A BRUTAL SLATE AS QB AUSTIN SIMMONS ARRIVES AND RB AHMAD HARDY RECOVERS
No. 25 Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — 2025 record: 8-5
Expectations
Missouri has gone to six bowl games in six seasons under Eli Drinkwitz, including an 11-2 finish in 2023 capped by a Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State. But other than that spectacular season, the Tigers have struggled to escape the middle tier of mediocrity in the SEC, twice under Drinkwitz finishing with losing records after bowl defeats.
If All-American running back Ahmad Hardy can return from a gunshot wound sustained earlier this year, and the defense under coordinator Corey Batoon can continue to be among the stingiest in the nation, perhaps the Tigers can excel against a schedule that shapes up to be one of the most difficult in the nation: The Tigers are the only team that will play five of the top 10 teams in the AP Top 25 preseason poll.
“For us, we have had the same mentality we’ve always had: STP, something to prove,” Drinkwitz said. “Everybody at the University of Missouri has something to prove every day, something to prove that we belong in the SEC, something to prove that we can win and at a high level, and something to prove that we want to do it this year.”
Strengths start with the offense
Austin Simmons backed up Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss before winning the starting job ahead of last season. When an ankle injury in Week 2 against Kentucky sent him to the sideline, Trinidad Chambliss took over and quickly became a star. Simmons played sparingly the rest of the season before transferring to Missouri as the replacement for Beau Pribula, who left for Virginia.
His big arm should upgrade the Tigers’ passing attack, especially with former Rebels teammate Cayden Lee and Minnesota transfer Caleb Goodie giving him a couple of promising targets to go with veteran tight end Brett Norfleet.
But the offense really hinges on the running game, where Hardy scampered for an SEC-best 1,649 yards and 16 scores in his first season with the Tigers. Missouri hopes he’ll be able to contribute at a similarly high level at some point in the season. In the meantime, Jamal Roberts (753 yards, six TDs last season) and Houston Christian transfer Xai’Shaun Edwards will help with the load.
Weaknesses surround questions on the defense
The Tigers will be almost completely new on defense, and the players that they lost from last season through graduation or the portal merely helped them finish eighth nationally last season allowing 277 yards per game.
Top pass rushers Damon Wilson II and Zion Young will have to be replaced after combining for 15 1/2 sacks last season; Wilson transferred to Miami while Young was a second-round pick of the Ravens. Their top tackler, Josiah Trotter, was a second-round pick of the Buccaneers. In the secondary, Marvin Burkes Jr. and Daylan Carnell are among those that will have to be replaced
New faces
QB Austin Simmons (transfer from Ole Miss), WR Cayden Lee (transfer from Ole Miss), RB Xai’Shaun Edwards (transfer from Houston Christian), LB Robert Woodyard Jr. (transfer from Auburn), CB Chris Graves Jr. (transfer from Ole Miss).
Key losses
DE Zion Young (second-round pick of Baltimore), LB Josiah Trotter (second-round pick of Tampa Bay), DT Chris McLellan (third-round pick of Green Bay), OT Keagan Trost (third-round pick of Green Bay), QB Beau Pribula (transfer to Virginia).
Biggest games for the Tigers
At Kansas (Sept. 11), vs. Texas (Nov. 7), at Georgia (Nov. 14).
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NO. 3 GEORGIA HAS QB GUNNER STOCKTON BACK TO LEAD PURSUIT OF SEC AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
No. 3 Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — 2025 record: 12-2
Expectations
Having a returning starting quarterback in Gunner Stockton and an experienced lead running back in Nate Frazier are good reasons for Georgia to again be considered a national championship contender. Having Kirby Smart back for his 11th season as coach is an even better reason.
Smart is 117-21 at Georgia with two national championships and four Southeastern Conference titles. The Bulldogs will try to extend a school-record streak of five seasons with at least 11 wins.
Even though it received no first-place votes in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, Georgia enters the season in the top five for the eighth straight year. Georgia was the choice of voters at the SEC’s annual media days to win yet another SEC title this season.
Strengths include the o-line and secondary
Tight end and the offensive line are strengths for an offense likely to feature Frazier, who rushed for 947 yards and six touchdowns a year ago.
The defense is led by defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV and linebacker Raylen Wilson. Robinson tied for the SEC lead with four interceptions at cornerback as a freshman. Bolden, a safety, ranked second on the team with 76 tackles and had two interceptions. Wilson, who had 74 tackles last season, and Chris Cole make inside linebacker another strength.
Georgia’s deepest position may be tight end, where senior Lawson Luckie has 14 career starts. Sophomore Elyiss Williams (6-7, 255) had seven catches as a freshman and has breakout potential while Ethan Barbour was a starter as a freshman before suffering an ankle injury. Jaden Raddell also has experience at the position.
Weaknesses including wide receiver
Georgia lost its top five receivers, including Zachariah Branch, a third-round NFL draft pick by Atlanta, and Colbie Young, a fourth-round pick by Cincinnati. The unit also lost Dillon Bell and Noah Thomas. The lack of experience is a big concern for an offense looking to become more explosive.
London Humphreys, who had 18 catches and three touchdowns but no starts last season, is the top returner.
Georgia ranked last in the SEC with 20 sacks last season and is looking for increased production from such players as Zayden Walker, who showed promise as a third-down pass rusher, and Chase Linton.
New faces
WR Isiah Canion (transfer from Georgia Tech), WR Ryan Mosley, CB Khalil Barnes (transfer from Clemson), CB Gentry Williams (transfer from Oklahoma), CB Braylon Conley (transfer from Southern California).
Key losses
RB Dante Dowdell, a transfer from Kentucky, was expected to play immediately before suffering serious injuries in an offseason ATV accident. Smart said Dowdell is “not with us” and the emphasis is on his ability to recover for daily functions instead of football. Edge rusher Amaris Williams, a transfer from Auburn, suffered a torn ACL in spring practice.
ILB CJ Allen (Indianapolis Colts), DL Christen Miller (New Orleans Saints), Branch (Falcons), TE Oscar Delp (Saints).
Biggest games for the Bulldogs
Vs. Oklahoma (Sept. 26), at Alabama (Oct. 10), at Mississippi (Nov. 7).
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A NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON BRINGS CFP TWEAKS, NEW RULES AND JERSEY PATCHES AMONG THE CHANGES
A new college football season brings plenty of hopes, discussion and changes. Here are the most notable offseason developments to know about before the games begin:
Tweaks to the College Football Playoff
This happened in the dead of winter so in case you missed it: The CFP reiterated that automatic bids will go to the champions of the Power Four conferences — the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12.
The CFP’s highest-ranked team in the Group of Six will also get a spot, whether it’s a conference champion or not. Group of Six, you say? Yes! The Group of Five is now a plus one with the relaunched Pac-12 joining the American, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West and Sun Belt.
From there, the next seven-highest ranked teams, regardless of conference, will fill out the rest of the 12-team bracket.
But Notre Dame!
Another tweak to the 12-team CFP bracket: If Notre Dame finishes the season ranked in the top 12 by the CFP it will automatically secure a playoff berth.
It’s a more straightforward approach than last year, when Notre Dame fell short of the playoff despite being ranked No. 11 by the committee. Instead, Tulane and James Madison earned the final two spots as two of the five highest-ranked conference champions.
One last thing about the CFP: Discussions continue over whether to expand to 16 or even 24 teams.
A lighter consequence for targeting
Rule changes are to be expected in any offseason, and this year targeting was the headliner.
In 2026, a player’s first targeting offense will no longer impact their availability for the next game. If a player is disqualified for targeting a second time during the season, they will be held out for the first half of the following game. A third offense calls for a next-game suspension.
Conferences can initiate an appeals process after a player’s second offense, which would call for a video review facilitated by the NCAA national coordinator of football officials. If the appeal is successful, the player will be able to play the full game.
One of the more notable targeting penalties last season was on Miami DB Xavier Lucas in the fourth quarter of the Fiesta Bowl, causing Lucas to sit out for the first half of the national championship game loss to Indiana.
Another rule change fans will notice: Offensive pass interference is now a 10-yard penalty instead of 15.
A new scoring opportunity
Another rule change this offseason will allow teams to attempt a field goal after a fair catch. The kicker can choose to drop kick from where the returner caught the ball, or they can use a holder with no tee. Some fans may recall a recent NFL version, when Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker hit a 57-yarder before halftime against Denver in December 2024.
Do not adjust your sets
The NCAA cleared the way for schools to land new revenue by placing sponsored jersey patches on uniforms as of Aug. 1 and, boy, there are going to be a lot of those.
Ohio State and Notre Dame alone reportedly have patch deals worth a combined $30 million, but there are so many others — Tyson Foods (Arkansas), Axle Logistics (Tenneseee), SRM Concrete (Vanderbilt), Ripple XRP cryptocurrency (Kansas), even the Palmetto State Armory (The Citadel).
And while the NCAA approved on-field commercial logos for the 2024 season, the volume is picking up. Progressive insurance recently struck a deal to have its logo on the playing field of 13 different schools, including Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Georgia, USC and Colorado.
Two newcomers
Sacramento State and North Dakota State are the latest additions to the Bowl Subdivision, bumping its membership to 138 teams. The moves became official on July 1, with Sacramento State being the newest MAC member, and North Dakota State’s juggernaut FCS program joining the Mountain West.
Both teams will be eligible for bowl games immediately if they finish with at least six wins and can help fill one of their conference’s bowl slots.
Plenty of new coaches
Of the 138 FBS teams, 34 have new coaches.
The SEC led the way with six new coaches, and the American has five. The Big 12 and Big Ten each added four coaches. Three new coaches were added to the MAC, the ACC, the Sun Belt and the reconstructed Pac-12. The Mountain West, Conference USA and FBS independent UConn each hired a new coach.
Some major hires include former Penn State coach James Franklin, who was picked up by Virginia Tech after being fired midseason. Penn State hired Iowa State’s Matt Campbell as Franklin’s successor. Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU before the Rebels’ playoff run, and Ole Miss promoted Pete Golding from within. Oregon’s defensive and offensive coordinators left the Ducks (Tosh Lupoi headed to Cal and Will Stein to Kentucky).
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