College football news covering rankings, game results, recruiting, College Football Playoff, bowl games, and NCAA football analysis.
Stewart Mandel argues that the NCAA's expansion to a 24-team College Football Playoff will damage the sport by devaluing the regular season. Comparing the format's low approval ratings to New Coke, he contends the change risks turning college football into an inferior version of the NFL, despite impending implementation.
The New York Times reports that college football coaches overwhelmingly favor Georgia's Kirby Smart and Indiana's Curt Cignetti when asked to pick one coach to win a single game. The article highlights their combined receipt of 82 percent of votes from surveyed peers, citing Smart's motivational skills and Cignetti's recent success.
Sports Illustrated reports that Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith ranked second on ESPN's list of the greatest wide receivers over the last 50 years, behind Randy Moss. The article suggests that while Smith is an elite current talent with historic college statistics, his career remains too young to surpass established legends like Moss who dominated at lower competitive levels before the NFL.
This commentary argues that Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman is a strong contender for national Coach of the Year honors, citing his team's undefeated 6-0 start and No. 2 ranking. It highlights his recent selection for the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List and praises the program's elite defensive and offensive statistics.
Yahoo Sports argues that rising roster costs are slowing the college football coaching churn, contrasting the current quiet October with previous years' rapid firings. The commentary suggests financial constraints are forcing schools to retain coaches despite early-season struggles.
The author contends that the 'Curt Cignetti Effect' has raised expectations for first-year college football coaches, creating immediate pressure to win. Using Auburn’s Alex Golesh as a case study, the piece argues that fan patience has eroded due to recent successes by new coaches like Indiana’s Cignetti and UCLA’s Bob Chesney.
Sports Illustrated analyzes the midseason Heisman Trophy race following Week 6 of the 2026 college football season. The article identifies Georgia as the top team and Jeremiah Smith as the frontrunner for the award, while evaluating other contenders like CJ Carr and Arch Manning against pretenders in a landscape dominated by SEC and Big Ten strength.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the conference is open to expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams. He warned that if Congress fails to establish national standards for athlete payments, the SEC will consider adopting its own rules, with discussions already underway within the conference.
The New York Times analyzes Nebraska football’s upcoming challenge against Oregon as a critical test of coach Matt Rhule’s program progress. The article suggests the game serves as a measuring stick for the team’s resilience following a recent loss, examining whether the squad can translate anger into competitive performance against a ranked opponent.
The Tennessean examines Tennessee Volunteers fans' mixed reactions to their 5-1 record, citing inconsistent offensive performance against weak SEC opponents. The commentary suggests that despite the winning record, underlying issues create uncertainty ahead of the crucial matchup with Alabama.