NIL
Tony Petitti weighs in on Notre Dame, access to College Football Playoff
Amid numerous rounds of conference realignment and changes to the College Football Playoff, one thing has been consistent. Notre Dame is an Independent, and there are plenty of different opinions floating around the sport about the Irish.
As potential changes in the Playoff are discussed, it’s not surprising that Notre Dame has once again come up, given that they have a unique path to the Playoff and are coming off a run to the national championship. That’s led to some pushback about the Irish either getting special treatment or needing to join a conference. However, as Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti explained on The Joel Klatt Show, he doesn’t see things that way.
“Look, I think Notre Dame has got access,” Tony Petitti said. “We’ve all agreed that they should have their path and access. I don’t think anybody’s suggesting that we change that for them. It’s not something that they’d be obligated to do.”
Notre Dame can’t make the Playoff at an automatic bid because they have no conference to win. That means, in the 12-team format, they’re not going to be able to earn a bye week. It’s a sort of trade-off for not playing a conference championship game. However, in a 16-team model, they might have what is seen as an advantage to some.
“No matter what format change — and the process is in the format change is the Big Ten and the SEC have to come together to make a suggestion. Then the others weigh in. We take that feedback, decide what we want to incorporate,” Petitti said. “But there are certain parameters that are guaranteed. We can’t come up with a format, for example, where the conference champions aren’t in. That’s not what we agreed to. So, even with the discretion that we have together with the SEC, there are parameters that we’ve agreed to on certain things. Part of that is Notre Dame’s access. I’m fine with that.”
Notre Dame has now made it to the College Football Playoff three times. Twice they made it in the four-team model, including the Covid-19 season when they played as a member of the ACC and lost the conference championship to Clemson. Then, last season in the first season of the 12-team format. Now, it looks like expansion is on the horizon and, depending on the model, there could be even more at-large spots for the Irish to snag.
“I’m not looking to relitigate any decisions we’ve made in the past. People can argue about what their path is versus somebody else. I just want to do what’s best for the Big Ten. I think as a byproduct of that, I believe,” Petitti said. “And people can say we’re wrong, I believe that it’s better for college football overall. Everybody’s entitled to have their opinion. Those other commissioners are going to represent their leagues very well like they always do and, hopefully, we’ll come together and find something that makes everybody happy.”
Marcus Freeman on Notre Dame’s Playoff access, joining a conference
One thing Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has made clear, it’s that the Irish are proud of being Independent. They don’t plan on changing that. That is, unless being Independent impacts their ability to make the Playoff and, ultimately, win a national championship.
“It’s what this football program was built from. As long as we can, we will [retain independence]. I have a lot of confidence in our administration and Pete Bevacqua, or AD, that he’ll always keep us in a position to be successful. So, as long as we can keep that Independence, we will. But, if there ever comes a time that we are at a disadvantage because we aren’t in a conference, I’m sure he’ll make the decision. Along with our president, to say, ‘Alright, we’re gonna join one of these conferences, and position ourselves to not be negatively impacted by being Independent.’ I think if you talk about being at a disadvantage to make the postseason,” Freeman said.
“Because you’re not in the Playoff. Or, if there comes a time when teams won’t schedule you because the Big Ten or the SEC are saying we’re gonna play nine games and we’ll play a crossover game and who cares about Notre Dame? Well, then I think there’s going to be a point where we’re forced to join a conference. But until that point happens, which it doesn’t look likely, we’re going to stay Independent as long as we can.”
For his part, Tony Petitti doesn’t think Notre Dame has a need to join a conference. They’re in a good spot for now, and there hasn’t been a push to put the Irish in an uncomfortable spot either.
“And they have a great path now,” Tony Petitti said. “That’s fine. We’ve all agreed to do that. No one’s suggesting we should change anything. They’re a huge part of the ecosystem of college football. They had a remarkable season last year going down to the last game against Ohio State.”
Robert Griffin III reveals why NIL, transfer portal are making college football better appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the NCAA entered this new era, where NIL deals routinely enter into seven figures and seemingly a quarter of the players switch teams in the transfer portal each year, it effectively changed the sport forever.
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To many, who loved the legacy, tradition, and homegrown feel of college sports, this has been a major adjustment, but to some, especially those who played the sport themselves, it’s been worth it, as it allows players to make some money for their hard work, where that in the past, that would be afforded only to the universities.
Case and point, Baylor legend-turned-pundit Robert Griffin III, who used some time on Outta Pocket Podcast to celebrate this new era for all of the opportunities it gives players.
“A lot of people say that the transfer portal and NIL have destroyed college football. I actually think it’s made college football better. Because now there’s more parody. It’s harder to be a team that is constantly repeating or constantly playing in the national championship game, playing in the college football semifinals. Ohio State, $35 million roster. Couldn’t get to the semifinal this year,” Griffin III declared.
“So what’s the solution? Well you still have to spend money. So that’s been a lot of money. But now you’ve got to be a better recruiter. Now you got to be a better coach. Because if you’re bringing in 10,12,15, 20, 30 guys through the transfer portal, how do you win? You win because they buy into your culture. And if they don’t buy into your culture and there’s a little bit of slippage or you don’t pay the right guy at wide receiver, or quarterback, man you’ll be down the creek without a paddle now.”
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Is Griffin on the money? Does forcing programs to continue investing in their players, outbidding rivals in the transfer portal, and hitting the recruiting trail hard actually make for a better product? Considering Ohio State spent that much NIL money on their roster only to get bumped in the first round of the playoffs, it’s clear they will have to pony up for an even better roster next year, which will benefit the players even more.
Related: Big Ten ADs send ‘unanimous’ support to Washington football amid Demond Williams drama
Related: Gio Lopez leaves North Carolina, Bill Belichick for Wake Forest
Through the first part of Bowl Season, ESPN announced its non-College Football Playoff TV ratings surged. That trend continued through the rest of the bowl games.
Across the 33 non-CFP bowl games that aired on ESPN networks, viewership increased by 13% year-over-year, the network announced. The Citrus Bowl between Michigan and Texas led the charge, just surpassing the Pop-Tarts Bowl for the top spot.
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All told, 11 bowl games hit at least a five-year high this season, ESPN said. Here are the most-watched non-College Football Playoff bowl games for 2025, based on Nielsen Big Data + Panel data.
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Texas
Date/Time: Dec. 31, 3 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 9.1 million
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian predicted the Citrus Bowl would draw strong TV ratings, and it did just that to lead non-College Football Playoff bowl game viewership. An average of 9.1 million viewers tuned in as Arch Manning and the Longhorns defeated Bryce Underwood and Michigan.
Pop-Tarts Bowl: BYU vs. Georgia Tech
Date/Time: Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 8.7 million
One of the most popular bowl games delivered for ESPN as 8.7 million viewers watched the Pop-Tarts Bowl. BYU held on for a wild victory over Georgia Tech Dec. 27, meaning the Cougars had the chance to partake in one of the sport’s newest traditions: eating the edible mascot.
Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State vs. Clemson
Date/Time: Dec. 27, Noon ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 7.6 million
The Pinstripe Bowl between Penn State and Clemson drew its best viewership on record as 7.6 million people tuned in for the Nittany Lions’ victory over the Tigers. It marked the final game for Terry Smith as Penn State interim head coach, though he is staying on staff under new head coach Matt Campbell.
Gator Bowl: Virginia vs. Missouri
Date/Time: Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 5.996 million
The Gator Bowl hit 6.0 million viewers on average Dec. 27 – its best figure since 2009. Virginia took down Missouri in that game to secure a 10-win season for the Cavaliers as part of an impressive year under Tony Elliott.
Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois
Date/Time: Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 5.4 million
At 5.4 million viewers, the Music City Bowl drew its best viewership since 2021 as Illinois took on Tennessee. The Fighting Illini secured another nine-win season under Bret Bielema as they took down the Volunteers, 30-28, on a last-second field goal from David Olano.
Alamo Bowl: USC vs. TCU
Date/Time: Dec. 30, 9 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 4.9 million
In the Alamo Bowl, TCU mounted a comeback late in regulation and eventually forced overtime against USC. The Trojans scored first in the extra period with a field goal, but the Horned Frogs got the victory as Jeremy Payne broke free for a wild game-winning touchdown on 3rd and long.
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Vanderbilt
Date/Time: Dec. 31, Noon ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 4.6 million
Points were hard to come by in the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl, but Iowa and Vanderbilt traded blows in the final two quarters. The two teams combined for 44 second-half points, but the Hawkeyes were the ones who came out victorious, 34-27, in front of 4.6 million people on ESPN.
Rate Bowl: New Mexico vs. Minnesota
Date/Time: Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 4.4 million
At 4.4 million viewers, the Rate Bowl drew its highest numbers since 2011 as Minnesota picked up yet another bowl game victory under P.J. Fleck, taking down New Mexico. It marked the Golden Gophers’ seventh straight bowl win as they finished the year with an 8-5 overall record.
L.A. Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington
Date/Time: Dec. 13, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Viewers: 3.8 million
The L.A. Bowl went out on a high note with a new record-high of 3.8 million viewers tuning in for Washington’s win against Boise State. It marks the final installment of the game, as On3’s Brett McMurphy previously reported, and it drew its highest viewership ever.
Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Cincinnati
Date/Time: Jan. 2, 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Viewers: 3.4 million
One of the final non-College Football Playoff bowl games also rounds out the 10 most-watched matchups. Navy completed an 11-win season with a resounding win over Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl, which averaged 3.4 million viewers on Jan. 2.
First Responder Bowl: FIU vs. UTSA (Dec. 26, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 3.1 million
Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. Utah (Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 3.0 million
Texas Bowl: LSU vs. Houston (Dec. 27, 9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 2.9 million
Hawaii Bowl: Cal vs. Hawaii (Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 2.7 million
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State (Jan. 2, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 2.6 million
Military Bowl: Pitt vs. East Carolina (Dec. 27, Noon ET, ESPN) – 2.5 million
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Northwestern vs. Central Michigan (Dec. 26, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 2.4 million
Holiday Bowl: Arizona vs. SMU (Jan. 2, 8 p.m. ET, FOX) – 2.34 million
Celebration Bowl: SC State vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 13, Noon ET, ABC) – 2.32 million
Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke (Dec. 31, 2 p.m. ET, CBS) – 2.2 million
Although the non-College Football Playoff bowl games are in the books, the CFP semifinals and national championship are still on the horizon. ESPN has also seen viewership increase throughout this year’s bracket and is hoping to continue that trend the rest of the way.
Moments after Ole Miss’ thrilling Sugar Bowl win over Georgia, the first person Walker Jones found on the field was newly minted Rebels hero Lucas Carneiro.
Carneiro had just hit the game-winning 47-yard field goal to send Ole Miss to a national semifinal and one win away from the national championship game.
When Carneiro saw Jones, the executive director of the Grove Collective, a big smile broke across his face amidst the exuberant on-field celebration.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Carneiro said with a grin.
“You better,” Jones replied.
“I’ve never been so happy to get that call the next day,” Jones told CBS Sports this week.
Keeping a star kicker has been just one piece of the puzzle for Ole Miss, but in many ways, it has been representative of what the last couple of weeks for the Rebels. It’s been a wild run of success, concern over possible tampering and poaching off the field and a concerted effort to do everything possible to keep the momentum.
It’s hard to find a program that has handled the uniquely challenging circumstances better than Ole Miss.
Consider what Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, athletic director Keith Carter and others have had to deal with in recent weeks. All the drama around whether the coaches following Lane Kiffin to LSU would be allowed to finish the playoff run. A narrative that it was just a matter of time before Ole Miss’ top players fled Oxford to join Kiffin at LSU. All of this while preparing for a Thursday semifinal against Miami and navigating an especially wild and active transfer portal.
And yet, Ole Miss has re-signed quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (pending waiver), running back Kewan Lacy, Carneiro and other key contributors.
“None of these guys left,” Matt Bowers, a prominent Ole Miss booster who owns 14 car dealerships, told CBS Sports. “We don’t have to guess what that means. You can say whatever you want if you’re LSU. You can say, ‘Well, they overspent.’ OK, tell yourself that. The truth may be harder to accept.”
That’s a credit to a talented, sleep-deprived group. Everyone from Golding and his staff to Jones and his team at the Grove Collective — along with newly added president of football Austin Thomas, assistant general manager Kelvin Bolden and senior associate athletic director for cap management Matt McLaughlin — has helped keep the train on the tracks.
“We’re in a really good place,” Carter told CBS Sports. “The brand is really strong. Clearly, we’re proving that we can win at a high level and make deep runs in the playoffs. So why would these guys want to leave? I think that’s what we have to continue to build here in Oxford.”
Invest in Golding
Carter’s big bet on Golding to replace Kiffin has already paid major dividends. In many ways, it was both a bold and practical decision to elevate the likable defensive coordinator and entrust a first-time head coach with navigating an unprecedented situation.
What Carter and others around the program understood was that Golding had forged real connections with players, boosters and other key figures. He had long been a top recruiter for a reason. If Ole Miss wanted to keep its roster intact for a playoff run, Golding may have been the only choice.
The way Golding handled the aftermath of Kiffin’s exit has been about as close to ideal as anyone could have hoped. And while this story is not about Lane Kiffin, there is no question he has had an impact, intentional or not, on what is happening in Oxford.
Doubling down
The manner in which Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU, and the hurt feelings it stirred among fans, has energized the base. There is a sense of resolve to prove the program can sustain its success in a post-Kiffin world, that the self-appointed “Portal King” was not the lone driver of Ole Miss’ success in the NIL and transfer portal era.
As Jones joked, “It’s amazing what a common enemy will do.”
“I think they knew this was a rallying point,” Jones said. “Our people kind of love us against the world, little Ole Miss can’t compete, little Ole Miss was built just by happenstance. They wanted, along with us, to show everybody this is built to last and we’re bigger than any one man or any one variable.
“We’ve got a lot of resources in place, commitment in place from our administration to our coaches to our collective, and that has aligned our fanbase. They know what to do.”
The money has come pouring in. Carter said Ole Miss athletics has already set a record for annual giving just six months into the fiscal year. After Ole Miss’ home playoff win over Tulane, 30-40 people joined the Vaught Society, which comes with a $25,000 commitment.
“It’s been a perfect storm in a really good way,” Carter said. “Our fans are more galvanized at this moment than maybe they’ve ever been.”
Said Bowers, a key financial contributor: “These people have money, and they’re motivated. In the name, image and likeness era, we’re one of the most successful programs in the country. That’s a fact.”
Everything Ole Miss is doing at this moment works toward sustainability. Beyond retaining top talent, Golding and his staff have been aggressively adding it. The Rebels currently have the nation’s No. 6 transfer class, headlined by Florida defensive lineman Micai Boireau, LSU offensive lineman Carius Curne and Auburn defensive back Jay Crawford. If Chambliss’ waiver isn’t approved, it’s a good bet Ole Miss will add an impact transfer quarterback, too.
With the new additions, there’s a world in which Ole Miss could be even better next season. After all, this was supposed to be the rebuilding year after losing top talent such as Jaxson Dart and Walter Nolen off last year’s team. If Chambliss is eligible for another year — and that is a big if right now — there may not be a better one-two offensive punch in the country than he and Lacy.
At minimum, Ole Miss fans will get to watch the two stars suit up for at least one more game on Thursday in Arizona. A win would add another chapter in what’s already been a remarkable and historic season for the Rebels. One more win and Ole Miss is playing for a national championship without the man who started the season as its head coach. Two more wins and Golding and this special group of Rebels will go down as legends.
Through all the outside noise and wild circumstances, Ole Miss football has never been in a better place. And everyone associated with the program is putting in the hard work to keep it going.
“They’ve got a taste of this,” Carter said, “and they want to hold onto it.”
Mississippi’s football program is thriving in the NCAA’s pay-for-play era. The sixth-seeded Rebels will face No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl for a spot in the…
Keith Carter had a premium vantage point at the Sugar Bowl for arguably the biggest moment in Mississippi’s college football history, standing directly behind the goalposts as Lucas Carneiro’s 47-yard field goal split the uprights.
The Ole Miss athletic director scooped up the football and tucked it under both arms, hugging it tight like a fullback as he ran through the end zone in jubilation.
The 49-year-old Carter — who played basketball for the Rebels in the late 1990s — didn’t play a snap in Ole Miss’ 39-34 victory over Georgia in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. But in some ways, he might be the most important person for a football program that hasn’t acheived this much success since the early 1960s.
He is also the man working to keep Ole Miss on top.
“We want to go win the whole thing this year, obviously,” Carter said. “But our hope is to be right back here next year and be a program that’s an every-year CFP contender with a chance to win national championships.”
Such talk would have sounded crazy less than a decade ago when Ole Miss was mostly an afterthought in the SEC, dealing with the fallout of an NCAA investigation into rules violations and a messy breakup with then-coach Hugh Freeze.
But as the No. 6 seed Rebels prepare to face No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday with a spot in the national championship game on the line, it doesn’t feel nearly as far-fetched.
Thanks to a group of behind-the-scenes people that includes Carter and Walker Jones — who leads the Ole Miss NIL collective — the Rebels have thrived in the pay-for-play era, building a fundraising behemoth that’s given them resources to build a roster that includes quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and a defense stacked with NFL-caliber talent.
Chambliss recently committed to return to the Rebels next season pending NCAA approval. He said Ole Miss has all of the resources it needs to compete at the highest level.
“I feel like college football’s changed throughout the years,” Chambliss said. “NIL changed that. The transfer portal changed that. The college football playoff changed that. I feel like Ole Miss, being in the SEC, the best conference in the nation, you’re going to get guys. You’re going to get good guys and coaches want to coach there. Ole Miss has done a good job transitioning with how college football is transitioning itself.”
Jones played football for the Rebels in the 1990s before a business career that included more than a decade with Under Armour. He came back to Ole Miss in 2022 to lead The Grove Collective, which is the athletic department’s fundraising arm.
Carter and Jones have known each other since their days playing Ole Miss sports and that connection was crucial.
“I always talk about the trust Keith had in me to come back in this capacity during a very confusing and complex time,” Jones said. “That probably wasn’t easy. I credit our history together and the experience of being student-athletes together.”
The Rebels were quick to adapt to the NIL era under coach Lane Kiffin, who iprovided the recruiting. Carter and Jones provided the money and a juggernaut was born.
Now Kiffin is gone — headed to LSU after an awkward breakup — but the money remains. Jones has cultivated a group of roughly 7,000 donors in The Grove Collective who range from millionaries to college students. It’s all impressive for a school that has a large following, but not the same kind of massive alumni base of schools like Ohio State or Texas.
“We may not have a T. Boone Pickens or a Phil Knight,” Carter said, referring to the well-heeled donors for Oklahoma State and Oregon. “But when you put us all together collectively, pull the rope in the same direction and people give not only what they can, but maybe even a little above what they should, we’ve been able to be really good.”
Ole Miss’ staying power has been evident over the past 12 months after last year’s disappointing ending to the season. The Rebels spent a boatload of money in 2024 for a roster that included quarterback Jaxson Dart, but they went 9-3 in the regular season and didn’t make the playoff.
Jones and Carter weren’t deterred and the donations kept pouring into the program. One year later, they’re exactly where they want to be. Even losing Kiffin hasn’t stopped the momentum; Carter quickly promoted Pete Golding and the Rebels keep chugging along.
“You’ve seen this before in sports,” Carter said. “There’s a team with all the expectations and you fall a little short. Then the very next year, you look up, and there’s a team that’s maybe not as heralded or doesn’t have as much preseason hype. But the pieces fit perfectly, the locker room is right, all these intangible things happen and it’s the best team in school history.”
It’s all new territory for an Ole Miss program that hasn’t been a powerhouse since the 1950s and ’60s, back before integration. The Rebels claim three national championships in football, though none since 1962.
There were a few good moments in the ensuing decades: Eli Manning was the team’s quarterback during a few heady years in the early 2000s, the Rebels won the Cotton Bowl in 2008 and Freeze had it rolling for a few years in the mid-2010s before NCAA troubles arose.
All those flashes of national relavance faded quickly.
Now because of Carter, Jones and a whole lot of cash, this version of Ole Miss might stick around for a while. Carter is soaking in the moment.
“It’s not just for me,” Carter said. “I’m the one who gets recognized and is the one out in front, but there are so many people who deserve this. I’m so happy for our fans, the ones who have been through some ups and downs.”
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At long last, only four teams remain. And if we’re being completely honest, it’s not the four teams we saw coming.
Either Ole Miss or Miami will play in the national championship, which is a welcome change of pace given how many college football regulars have competed for a title over the past decade.
On the other side of the bracket, Indiana and Oregon will play in a rematch absolutely no one will be angry about. The Hoosiers won the first matchup on the road, and they’re favored once again. But this is different in every way.
With the pleasantries out of the way, let’s get right to it. Enjoy every remaining college football game while you can.
Fiesta Bowl: Miami (-3.5) vs. Ole Miss
Let’s begin with some praise for both programs, as they created brilliance and drama in a postseason round that needed plenty of both.
With the other games taking on the form of blowouts, Miami pulled one of the biggest upsets in CFP history, and Ole Miss, without its former head coach, did something awfully similar.
This isn’t the semifinal we saw coming, but it’s one we will gladly embrace. And we’re going to be embracing Miami to move forward.
Oh, we’ve doubted this team. We’ve also doubted the head coach. In fairness, Miami has given us reason to doubt over the past few seasons, losing games against teams it shouldn’t lose games against.
None of that matters at this exact moment. The Hurricanes have gone on the road to beat Texas A&M and overwhelmed mighty Ohio State, coming together at the right time.
“Overwhelmed” is indeed the word to use, especially when you see just how well Miami has played in the trenches. The Hurricanes averaged more than four yards per carry against the Buckeyes, one of the nation’s elite run defenses. But the defensive line, which has been the dominant force in both playoff games to date, is where this pick takes form.
Oh, it will have its work cut out for it against Ole Miss. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was absolutely sensational against Georgia, and he’ll be slippery once again. Even with his wideouts and targets dropping balls, Chambliss found a way.
Still, this feels like a different challenge. The Miami defense isn’t just good up front. The Hurricanes are also sensational on the back end. And the ability to run the ball behind a dominant offensive line creates a unique challenge for Ole Miss.
Speaking of challenges, the Ole Miss staff is likely to undergo more changes, with assistants poised to leave for LSU to work under Lane Kiffin. That’s a significant disruption given how little time these teams have to prepare.
Look for Miami to dominate time of possession, kill clock and torment Chambliss just enough. With that in mind, we’re also leaning toward the under, leaning on a Miami defense that should once again be the star of the show.
Peach Bowl: Oregon (+4) vs. Indiana
Don’t assume the second coming of this delightful matchup will go like the first game did, but let’s take inventory on what we saw months ago.
Indiana went to Eugene and won 30-20, though neither offense was particularly sharp. Both quarterbacks—Oregon’s Dante Moore and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, perhaps the first two QBs taken in next year’s draft—combined to throw three interceptions. Mendoza, the eventual Heisman winner, threw a pick-six.
The defenses ruled, and they likely will again. These two teams combined to allow just three points last round. Oregon shut out Texas Tech, forcing four turnovers in the process.
Indiana limited Alabama to 193 yards and three points, dominating the Crimson Tide in a way we haven’t seen in many, many years. The Hoosiers limited Alabama to 23 yards rushing on 17 carries, and the defense sacked Ty Simpson three times.
Now, this total sits in the mid-40s, which feels about right. This game features a wealth of offensive firepower, although both defenses have the ability to be elite.
As for location, this one seems somewhat relevant.
While the Peach Bowl will be a neutral site, don’t be surprised if the crowd is more Indiana-heavy. It’s not an easy trip from Eugene. It’s even harder for those considering making a trip to the national championship in Miami a week later, if they get that far.
Despite the first outcome and the long travel, this feels like a field-goal game. Even the first matchup, which was ultimately decided by 10 points, was tight throughout.
Indiana has been absolutely sensational, and there is no reason to believe that will stop here. Oregon, however, just played one of the best defenses in the country, found success and still left a lot of points out there. That experience should help plenty.
Since the line was posted, it has moved slightly in Indiana’s favor. Given how sensational this team played against Alabama, this should come as no surprise.
Still, it feels a tad high. Oregon is more than capable of pulling off the upset, and the Ducks should find success on both sides of the field.
Close game. Fabulous game. Enjoy this one regardless of what side you land on.
Jan. 7, 2026, 11:51 a.m. CT
BATON ROUGE — Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby was at the top of every school’s list that needed a quarterback, and LSU football was included in that.
New LSU coach Lane Kiffin and his program was one of the fortunate two to get Sorsby on campus for a visit, which he did this past weekend. It was then LSU made its Name, Image, Likeness marketing and revenue sharing deal to him which was upwards of $4.5 million altogether, Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday.
Sorsby signed a contract with Texas Tech, the other school he visited this past weekend, that is believed to be at least $5 million total, according to the report.
The 11-page deal from LSU was made through the university’s multimedia rights partner, Playfly Sports Properties detailed how the compensation was Sorsby was going to be structured during his one year with the football program. For Sorsby, $3.5 million was going to be handled by NILSU MAX, an independent entity formed in affiliation by Playfly and LSU athletics while “likely at least $1 million” would’ve come from LSU’s revenue sharing cap money.
If NILSU MAX couldn’t fulfill the guaranteed amount of $3.5 million to Sorsby, it was contractually obligated to come up with the money using his name, image and likeness on promotional materials as well as organizing a “limited amount” of autograph signings and appearance, per the contract.
There were also incentives tied to the proposed deal to Sorsby which included a $500,000 bonus should he win the Heisman Trophy and $200,000 for winning the Maxwell Award, which is presented annually to college football’s top player. Quarterback Joe Burrow is the most recent LSU player to win the award back in 2019.
What’s interesting about LSU’s proposed deal to Sorsby is how does it fly with programs supposedly operating under a revenue-sharing pool, which is marked at $20.5 million?
The College Sports Commission, the industry’s new enforcement agency, and NIL Go signs off on third-party contract for student-athletes, determining if the deals have a “valid business purpose” and that they do not exceed an established “range of compensation.”
But the agency was only started this past June. So it’s unclear if NIL GO would have approved the deal or not as there’s very little precedent at this time.
Kiffin and LSU are still in the market for a quarterback out of transfer portal. Arizona State transfer signal caller Sam Leavitt was on campus for a visit the last two days and LSU has reported interest in Washington quarterback Demond Williams.
It’s unknown what proposed deals to those quarterbacks would look like — likely not as high as LSU’s offer to Sorsby as he was the top player in the transfer portal at his position. But the one guarantee if the offer would be competitive.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
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